Longbridge Tuesday 3 November THE WORKERS at Leyland's Longbridge plant in Birmingham have latest offer of the BL sion, carried by a 3 to 2 majority at a meeting of about 12,000 people, was greeted with 'some disappointment' by convenor.
This morning pickets were on every gate at the giant complex. Discussion on ine outcome the mass meeting was lively.
As workers assembled in Cofton Park brought placards along calling for rejection of the offer and slamming Duffy and Co's attempt to end the dispute.
solitary worker, whose nacard called for acceptance, with choruses of Goreeme greeted you bum,. go home.
As gathered the mood of those supporting the strike rose. But it was clear that not everyLand Rover Solihull, Tuesday 3 November By Janine Field and Gerry Harp LAND ROVER massive majority for strike action last Thursday. By 9 o'clock this morning, picket lines had swelled and the Socialist Challenge Reject the Offer' leaflet was going down quite well.
The picketers began to move into the plant at 9.30. The vote from Longbridge was announced on the radio: acceptance. The mood began change. «You should be nanalig those out at Longbridge, someone shouted 'We are - but it's the ting them out all over BL, replied. The sicwail Communist Party speech about the offer.
He made it clear that Edwardes had not softened his stance and that there basic rates of pay. The top Was 1I0 increase the Cowley, Tuesday 3 November COPIES of une management's printed appeal were littering the field as Austin Morris assembly plant workers filed into the mass meeting.
But most people were hanging on to copies unions' volunteers for picketing. Convenor Bobby Fryer, outlined the tortuous story of last minute wheeling and dealing and explained the real meaning of the 'improved offer'.
There was some cheering mood was grim and serious. plained that the bonus offer was tied to co-operation in work studies and no industrial action. No one at Cowley will be getting the overtime and night premium.
'Not real money, all ifs and buts', commented chairperson Doug From where we stood the vote looked close - the Leyland Action Committee placaras were on ine orner side or tne field. When it was announced - by a 3 to Socialist Challenge decided to accept the management. The deciJack Adams, the plant one shared their view.
Traffic jams delayed the start and stewards moved through the crowds bulletin issued by the works corruuntee.
side carried the details of the new ofter.
the other a report of the vanous meetings had taken place since the original strike call. It was around this that Jack Adans maue mis report The story is a familiar one for trade Rally allive unionist. As Jack Adams reported the Len Murray COT had gone into detail of the effects of the strike on the other groups at Solihull had voted by a union officials did think was avala.
ble, he said. But the stewards recommended rejection because 'you can't spend all your life running away stand and fight and this is An electricians union representative was allowed to give his view from the platform. 'Master Parsons' was his name and a vocal minority of the mass meeting took objection to him He did he said, want to take issue with the DULLS CHICSCIOR steward But he wanted to draw the well appea but the Fryer exHobbs.
radio. 5 November 1981 Page 2 meetings with ACAS and at the second one, lasting 14 hours and attended by the Leyland Board and Michael Edwardes, the general secretaries presentea ine new orler to ine negotiating committee.
It was deciaea by general secretaries and the negollaling Commuller which had not been party the discussion management - to put the proposals mass 'without ally recommendation' The response of the senior shop stewards this decision is well known. Allel an оссираtion of the AUEW conference room Birmingham, Monday November, the senior stewards passed their own resolunion staling unal lney were 'of the opinion that offers should be re jected and the dispute continued until a better offer is forthcoming'.
Regrettably, even this fell short of being a clear recommendation for relec tion. Jack Adams went to sick than working.
Jimmy Floan, and I'm appalled today's decision.
around without any shoes.' to the implications of a prolonged strike.
We won't get a better offer and some of us will lose our completely, was his line. He finished to sneers and boos some and a smattering of applause mom orners, by suggesting that the mass meeting should 'think of the state of the economy and the state of employthe West lands.' The vote was taken. It was very close — 55:45. Cowley convenor, Bobby Fryer, addresses the strikers 2 majority to reject the offer - there was some cheers and a few protests.
We heard the Longbridge vote on the 'Adams didn't do the job Fryer accordingly lengths to explain WILY the stewards disagree national onficers national officers and the negotiationg committee.
Yet, with the prospect Longbridge workers looked to their leaders to take on Edwardes. They were let down and voted severe financial hardships, the threats of BL managers, the condemna tion media, and the likelihood of protracted parent' indecision by the national leadership of the union was without doubt the decisive blow to this struggle Many in Leyland understand this and many others will draw MINI 1276 5 the same conclusion following this defeat. It is the task of these trade unionists challenge to that leadership if the story is to be any different next time round