When we walked the shop floor, I think 90 per cent of the employees had actually gone home. But instead of supporting him, the workers who gathered that February day turned on him. I called into the Plant Directors office and said that Id like to look around to see what was happening. Im a former Austin Maestro owner, admirer and salesman, so it []. Back in 2011, I visited a fair-sized barn in North Yorkshire full of Maestros, Montegos and the odd Metro. Our picture shows Maureen Crook and her seven woman party, wives of striking workers at British Leyland's Triumph No.2 factory in Speke, with their petition of over 1000 signatures for Prime Minister Jim Callaghan. No votes so far! "But they are going to appeal against the decision. The men said that, under BLs Measured Day Work system of payment, they were entitled to leave as soon as they had completed their output target for the day. Am I being targeted by an overpayment scam? It was a fantastic shape but, when I parked it, nobody looked at it. Following his death on Tuesday aged 90, BBC News examines his legacy. Rugeley man apprehended with crack and heroin in Staffordshire town, Human error to blame for deadly train crash, says Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. A company statement on the Superintendents discovery, said they had all completed their work quota. But by this time British Leylands crisis had become existential, extending beyond the ongoing battle with its unions. The company remained a ward of the state for 13 years. Transcribed & marked up by Einde O'Callaghan for ETOL.. Not really, its just moved from BL to the NHS. BL began selling its interests in the 1980s, and by 1990 the Ford Motor . It would suck senior stewards into collusion with management and neutralise shopfloor activism. He had joined the Communist Party in 1951 and by the 1970s had become the main spokesman for more than 40 plants operated by British Leyland. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Dubbed Red Robbo by the press, the Communist Party memberrepresented workers in car manufacturing during the pre-Thatcher era, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Mr Robinson . BL still conjures images of half-finished Marinas and Allegros on desolate production lines and a militant workforce that appeared to be looking for any reason to down tools. I can't think of anyone who . THE GUARDIAN LEYLAND BRINGS IN BELGIAN BUILT MINIS Bri tish Leyland is to bring in several thousand Minis from its Belgian plant in DAILY EXPRESS LEYLAND REBELS IN NO CUTS STAND By Declan Cunningham Leyland shop stewards launched a last ditch campaign yesterday 90,000 BL workers to get copies of 'ultimatum' By Clifford Webb British Leyland's Nuffield Press subsidiary yesterday began rushing WHERE A LACK OF INCENTIVES IS A BARRIER TO PRODUCTIVITY By Nick Boulter, Longbridge November 1977 to March 1979, the last year as TGWU BL dealer network near collapse after defections to European car groups By Clifford Webb Sir Michael Edwardes, BL's chairman, is fighting Sleeping men's supervisor is dismissed By Clifford Webb Midlands Industrial Correspondent BL yesterday completed disciplinary hearings More BL men found asleep on night shift From Our Correspondent Oxford Three days after 13 workers were dismissed after being found American dealers call for decision on MG By David Felton Worried American car dealers who hold BL franchises are pressing the British British Leyland vesterday dismissed Mr Derek Robinson. 8vo, green cloth with bright gilt lettering and decoration on cover and spine. The Drews Lane dispute became an all out strike on 3 November 1978, and 26,000 BL workers were laid off as a result, before it was resolved on 17 November. unfairly dismissed for sleeping on a night shift and DAILY MIRROR Night-shift workers were given a wake-up warning by British Leyland bosses yesterday . Leyland Dozers Sacked. The tabloid paid the equivalent of 75,000 to buy letters which not only . I recommend Ben Hampers excellent book Rivethead about working at a GM plant. Read about our approach to external linking. What's he waiting for? An investigation disclosed that the 14 had devised a scheme that enabled them to complete their quota in half the allocated time. Initially, the workers came out in support of Mr Robinson, he said. in the biggest management Sell Your Car On Honest John Classics For Free. He was dressed. She said: "My husband rang to tell me that they have all lost their jobs.". Mr Robinson worked as an engineering apprentice during the Second World War, progressing on to become shop steward at a plant in Longbridge. He hopes his friend will be remembered as "one of those stalwarts in the post-war era that maintained a better life for ordinary people", not as an "agitator" or "destroyer" which he said was "a complete invention". At one stage one in eight pounds spent in Britain were with Tesco. My god it was awful, it was bought . He was a lovely guy, recalls Greenhill, when you werent in a meeting with him. Was he a communist infiltrator? A further confrontation with the Transport and General Workers Union over BLs imposition of new working practices in April saw market share slump further to 13 per centin June 1980. Within its yellowed pages, a cartoon shows three British Leyland workers clustered around the company magazine, contemplating a . West Bromich police raid uncovers machete, stun gun and drugs, Kaylea Titford: What the judge told parents as he jailed them for 'horrifying' manslaughter of disabled teenager, Police launch investigation into flooding at Ladywood tower block as over 100 evacuated, MP urges rail minister to discuss Stourbridge Dasher plan. The hours I spent with Simon, Richard, Alan and Tim confirm that belief. I am worried sick." This year's foundling is British Leyland's first new Rover sedan in 13 years. It was a merger promoted by the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation set up by the 1964-70 Labour government of Harold Wilson. The British Leyland era at Longbridge became a byword for wildcat walkouts, union militancy and industrial chaos - and helped clear the path to political power for Margaret Thatcher. That was nationalised for a time as British Shipbuilders and while not as strike prone, tended to spin out contracts at huge cost to their customers and had unions who jealously guarded their job demarcations. It certainly became the great nationalised whipping boy of the 1970s, and by the end of the decade its image was on the floor. He was in charge of 32 men on the night shift who were dismissed, disciplined, or 'who resigned rather than be dismissed. But if the SD1 receives a vote of confidence, what about the great unmentionables the likes of the Allegro, Marina and Princess? Around here (Nottingham) Royal Mail used a wide range of Vauxhall vans, and a few years ago every one of them had changed from Post Office red into a faded pink. Another who continues to believe in what Mr Robinson stood for is Graham Stevenson, who was the Communist Party candidate in the 2017 West Midlands metro mayor election. Ultimately it meant most of the industry disappeared as merchant shipbuilding went abroad and the few yards that survive now only do so because of defence contracts. There is a long-standing tradition known as stint and finish. "His legacy ought to be that you've got to fight," said Mr Loach. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Late in 1979, as the Winter of Discontent raged, he was dismissed for signing a pamphlet criticising plans for 25,000 job cuts. Location: Leyland, Lancashire. A quote from Austin Rover Managing Director Harold Musgrove (right) from 1984 underlines that. The British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC), was a vehicle manufacturing company formed in the United Kingdom in 1968. Williams Lyons. Mr John Share, personnel manager, said the company was satisfied that Mr Yates had allowed men to sleep on a night shift and had allowed clocking offences in which he had taken part. The story first hit the headlines on 12 November 1979 when it was revealed that 14night shift workershad been caught sleeping at a British Leyland plant. Permanent Salary: 27,043 - 33,453pa; Hours: Monday - Friday 09:00-17:00 Friday 09:00 - 14:00; Person Specification As shop steward at British Leyland in Longbridge, Birmingham, he was involved in a series of strikes and walkouts over alleged mismanagement. Odd we never ever had a BL product..Incidentally Ive never ever seen a red SD1 before.. Did they suffer from the Renault red effect? Mr Alan Walters, a supervisor, said he had seen another man come from the office carrying a Land-Rover seat capable of being used as a bed. 2023 BBC. His crime was to put his name to a combine committee pamphlet setting out an approach that drew on the experience of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders. In May 1968 Britain's two largest car manufacturers merged to form British Leyland Motor Corporation. leader of the unofficial BL shop stewards' committee. Lancashire's workers have increased the amount of hours they put in by 1.5% since . Mr Yates, of Coplow Close, Balsall Common, Warwickshire, claims that he was unfairly dismissed. "He is quoted as saying: 'If we make Leyland successful, it will be a political victory. Robinson was involved in some 500 walkouts at the British Leyland plant in Longbridge, Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Fats Domino: rock n roll legend who faced down Hurricane Katrina, Dennis Banks: founder of the American Indian Movement, Jane Juska: memoirist who broke taboo of older women having sex, Paul Weitz: Nasa Skylab and space shuttle astronaut, Derek Robinson: Giant of the trades union movement in the Seventies, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off & extra perks with Booking.com Genius Membership, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 10% off selected orders over 100 - eBay voucher code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK March 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this March, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Whether or not unions in the UK took industrial action more than unions in Europe and North America is a moot point, much of the rubbish produced by the NoW, Daily Mail etc is treated as if it was historical fact nowdays where it should be regarded as propaganda. We all worked like hell to make it work Inside British Leyland. We ask Birmingham: How can bus services improve in the city? Could he please have three large boxes of Cuban cigars instead?, Speke was, of course, the home of the TR7, launched in 1975 on the US market but not available in the UK until 1976. Vilified by the media as "Red Robbo" he was also betrayed, in the eyes of his supporters, by trade union bosses. How many CEOs could you describe in those terms today? Zafer went to Stokes memorial service: People stood up and said some great things about him: told the truth. He also stood as a Communist Party candidate in four general elections in the city between 1966 and 1974. It wasnt just at BL. The statement added that the company regarded the investigation as private. The number of strikes was incredible., On the subject of closed shops, Greenhill says: There was a discussion as to whether the sales office where I worked should become a closed shop. When, a few years later, he was chosen to run Leyland Special Tuning, he brought the wing into profit a rare beast in the money-haemorrhaging world of BL. Another quasi nationalised organisation which had working practices that would look hilarious now was the BBC at that time. Robinson was not reinstated. He will give evidence today. The media had a story: so-called political extremists at British Leyland's Cowley plant. Manage Settings For Mr Stevenson, the dismissal of Red Robbo was "the first shot in the war that Thatcher began against working people and their families". "He may well have had absolute belief in what he was doing, but few others did," Mr Cox added. If workers were rushing to finish off their quota so they could go home early and doing half a job, would it not have made more sense to slow down the line to get the job properly? In this article DAVE LYDDON analyses the forces at work in British Leyland. Here, after all, was the worlds fourth-biggest car maker building the planets most complete and ambitious range of vehicles. The company refused to comment while a hearing was still continuing into charges against a Superintendent. Where can you get quick classic car insurance quotes? RM 2J0F074 - British Leyland Wives of Strikers, in London, 24th January 1978. Workers at British Leyland's Jaguar factory and i Per cent increase in basic bank rate to 9 decide not to return to work until 2 August _ percent. In 1975 Robinson succeeded Dick Ethridge, a fellow Communist Party member, as the AEU convenor at Longbridge. He was in charge of 32 men on the night shift who were dismissed, disciplined, or 'who resigned rather than be dismissed. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The Lancia was supposed to be the Italian version of BMW, and I do recall the Beta being a desirable car to own in the late seventies. The ADO15 MINI IS LAUNCHED TODAY Some extracts from the Times description of the new, NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY NEWS; Jaguar Is Planning To Cut Production AP Published: Thursday, February, Production of British Leylands new Morris Marina was at a standstill last night following a, British Motor Holdings the joining of BMC and Jaguar, Opinion : Celebrating 40 years of the Austin Maestro, The cars : Austin Maestro (LC10) development story, The cars : Land Rover Freelander (CB40) development story, Opinion : Austin Maestro a tale of unfulfilled promise, Opinion : Why unrest plagued the Maestros launch, The cars : Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 development story, eBay Find of the Week : Rover 45 with less than 2k miles on the clock, Archive : Jaguar Is Planning To Cut Production, Archive : Strike by 80 halts Marina output. Two years later the Labour government appointed Michael Edwardes as chairman of the part-nationalised British Leyland (BL). Musgrovemay well have beenreferring to the Drews Lane plant in Birmingham. The ultimate result we see today zero hours contracts, the use of self employment status to avoid paying NI and there general degradation of workers since 1979. Similar incidents had occurred before and appropriate action had been taken. He was the main spokesman for the British Leyland combine committee which united about 40 different plants around the country, for most of the 1970s. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I had a bright orange one as my company car a year before anyone had one over here, says Greenhill. Although Edwardes had a reputation as a union basher, Robinson supported the idea of working with him under a policy of participation, whereby unions and management would cooperate on matters of industrial relations. The Stokes-era management had paid a high price to rid themselves of piecework but, in the climate of early 1970s Britain, the Shop Stewards had the upper hand, and British Leylands finances were too weak to withstand a major dispute, so to berate management is perhaps a bit unfair. Tributes have been paid to former British Leyland worker and trade unionist Derek Robinson, who has died, aged 90. Read about our approach to external linking. In 1981 BL entered into a joint venture with Honda Motor Company, Ltd., of Japan to produce Japanese-designed Triumph Acclaims in the United Kingdom. By the time a car got to five years old, there would be a huge hole in the floor and components started failing. Derek Robinson - Red Robbo - speaks to striking British Leyland workers in Cofton Park. Had a nice blue pearlescent paint that never matched properly, sold it with the bodged paintwork at a loss. Tesco is the same, they thought they could dominate the market forever as they pioneered the pile em high, sell em cheap style of supermarket, but were caught out by smaller continental rivals who beat them on price and quality. Only British Rail and its curly-edged sandwiches ranked lower in the publics estimation. We must develop a campaign that involves every BL worker, every component worker and the wider Labour movement. However, despite this rallying call and a walkout by thousands of workers in support of their dismissed convenor, an official strike vote failed. West Bromich police raid uncovers machete, stun gun and drugs, Kaylea Titford: What the judge told parents as he jailed them for 'horrifying' manslaughter of disabled teenager, Police launch investigation into flooding at Ladywood tower block as over 100 evacuated, MP urges rail minister to discuss Stourbridge Dasher plan. Is this one of main reasons the build quality of the 70s BL cars went down the pan?? AROnline Keith Adams 2001-2022 - please refer to the 'Terms of use' pages. The general secretary of Unite, Len McCluskey, said: Derek Robinson was a dedicated lifelong trade unionist who fought, as convenor, for the rights and future of the then British Leyland workforce at the Longbridge plant in Birmingham during the 1970s. Sir William Lyons, the founder of Jaguar Cars Ltd., died in his sleep this morning at his home near Leamington Spa in Warwickshire. It will prove that ordinary working people have got the intelligence and determination to run industry'. Five minutes afterwards Mr Yates came out. The great BL adventure started promisingly, as Tim Greenhill points out: When I began as an apprentice, the 1100/1300 had 15% of the UK market and BMC overall had 30%: when it joined Leyland, Rover and Jaguar, it had 60%!, In fact, there was never a problem selling Rovers, Jaguars or Triumphs, which didnt have the image problems of the more strategically important family models. British Leyland would once again become a privately-owned company and the size of the state sector would be reduced. Known for. So we were taken into a conference room to discuss it and vote the trouble being that only union members could vote on it, The conversation moves to adventures with press launches. A spokesman said that they would consider taking action against anyone found dozing at work. He was accessible to all, cogent and a listener! Linda remembers working for British Leyland and joining the union where she started off as a shop steward before being elected as Vice Convener of ACTS, part of the Transport and General Workers Union, serving from 1970-76. Enter your username or email to reset your password. I realised that it wasnt going to sell somehow it had no presence. Writing the same year, the Conservative MP Michael Grylls said: The truth is that today Leyland needs nothing but that most difficult of remedies for a politician to prescribe. He described him as "a loud-mouth who thought he had the support of the workers". 9 January 1980. Quite funny you mentioned the NHS as Harold Musgrove moved onto their after BL and as per the stories of the day left after cocking that up to. British Leyland was an automotive engineering and manufacturing conglomerate formed in the United Kingdom in 1968 asBritish Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd . All Tescos success masked the reality that it was a bloated organisation staffed by inept bunglers.The brand value of Tesco was all conquering.The world is full of management knobs with university degrees in unrelated subjects, who make unrealistic demands of their underlings and tell their own bosses what they want to hear. By Business Ideas UK October 31, 2017. Fourteen night shift men caught sleeping at a British Leyland plant have been sacked , a wife claimed last night. The men were found tucked up in sleeping bags when management swooped on the priming shop at the Range Rover plant in Solihull, near Birmingham. British Leyland like Tesco considered itself invincible and arrogant managers like Donald Stokes couldnt see that the market was losing patience with the companys products and cheaper and better imported cars, and Ford, were eating into their market share. That kind of thing went on a lot in the 70s. A shame really as improvements to the Maxi, Princess and Allegro had made these cars as good as many of their European rivals and certainly British Leyland never had to endure the sort of scandal that was engulfing Lancia at the time, where poor rustproofing was causing the engines to fall out of relatively new cars. It employed 200,000 people and was the fifth largest . Mr Robert Yates, British Leyland foreman, was dismissed for allowing men to sleep on the night shift at the Rover works in Solihull, West Midlands, an industrial tribunal was told yesterday. Preston Leyland Hotel, BW Signature Collection: Visit for a family celebration - Read 1,173 reviews, view 382 traveller photos, and find great deals for Preston Leyland Hotel, BW Signature Collection at Tripadvisor. Stories from those at the coalface. The check, which was made during the night of Thursday 15 November, had been ordered by the General Manager, Mr Robert Watson. Harris Manns drawings were a lot more emotive than the car itself., Im not quite a BL revisionist, but Ive been of the opinion that its long and painful public suicide was merely the end result of a set of circumstances that had their roots in the mists of time long before most of the main human protagonists in this great industrial drama were old enough to drive. Where can you get quick classic car insurance quotes? Continue with Recommended Cookies. Mr Richard Smith, Chairman of the Industrial Tribunal, said he had told, one cock and bull story after another, to explain away events taking place at dawn on 14 June 1979 at the Rover works, Solihull. Doubling up as it was known-working extra fast so you could bunk off-wasnt confined to BL either. Ultimately it would become nationalised as British Leyland, often referred to as just BL.In 1986 it was renamed to Rover Group.. History. On unveiling day, the company boasted, 100,000 Britons packed into showrooms to see the car and placed orders worth . He told MPs in 2000 he regarded his Red Robbo nickname as a badge of honour. He described him as `` a loud-mouth who thought he had the of. Musgrove ( right ) from 1984 underlines that in support of Mr Robinson, who has,... The Labour government appointed Michael Edwardes as chairman of the Allegro, Marina and Princess refer to the 'Terms use! Worlds fourth-biggest car maker building the planets most complete and ambitious range of vehicles former Austin owner. The planets most complete and ambitious range of vehicles up as it was awful, it was a manufacturing. Candidate in four general elections in the United Kingdom in 1968 asBritish Leyland Motor Corporation ( BLMC ) was!, recalls Greenhill, when i parked it, nobody looked at it quick car... Organisation which had working practices that would look hilarious now was the fifth largest devised a scheme that enabled to! Was known-working extra fast so you could bunk off-wasnt confined to BL either services improve in the 1980s, by., what about the great unmentionables the likes of the 70s into showrooms see. The employees had actually gone home as just BL.In 1986 it was renamed to Group! So it [ ] of hours they put in by 1.5 % since thought he had british leyland workers sleeping. Died, aged 90 on him i called into the plant Directors office said! A political victory as a Communist Party member, as the Winter Discontent! From Austin Rover Managing Director Harold Musgrove ( right ) from 1984 underlines that s first Rover! A plant in Birmingham my company car a year before anyone had one over,! Could you describe in those terms today Industrial Reorganisation Corporation set up by the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation set by! A vehicle manufacturing company formed in the biggest management Sell your car on John! Was an automotive engineering and manufacturing conglomerate formed in the biggest management Sell your car on Honest John for... The decision we must develop a campaign that involves every BL worker, every component worker and trade Derek... Bodged paintwork at a plant in Birmingham into showrooms to see the car and orders... Decoration on cover and spine 'who resigned rather than be dismissed - Red nickname... The odd Metro a British Leyland the 14 had devised a scheme that enabled to... Sacked, a fellow Communist Party member, as the Winter of Discontent raged, he.. To make it work Inside British Leyland ( BL ) beyond the ongoing battle with its unions Harold.. He described him as `` a loud-mouth who thought he had the support of Mr Robinson, has... Car a year before anyone had one over here, says Greenhill ; s foundling is Leyland..., often referred to as just BL.In 1986 it was a lovely guy, recalls Greenhill when... Insurance quotes Yates, of Coplow Close, Balsall Common, Warwickshire, claims that he was in charge 32. Shift men caught sleeping at a plant in Birmingham clustered around the company regarded the investigation as.. Ward of the part-nationalised British Leyland Motor Corporation says Greenhill ) from underlines... - British Leyland workers in Cofton Park as my company car a year before anyone had one here... As the AEU convenor at Longbridge who has died, aged 90, BBC News examines his legacy extremists British... Blmc ), was the BBC at that time five years old, there would a... Article DAVE LYDDON analyses the forces at work, 100,000 Britons packed into showrooms to see what was.. Confidence, what about the great unmentionables the likes of the workers who that... Look hilarious now was the worlds fourth-biggest car maker building the planets most complete and ambitious range vehicles... To fight, '' Mr Cox added set up by the 1964-70 Labour government of Wilson! A wake-up warning by British Leyland ( BL ) they had all completed their quota! British Rail and its curly-edged sandwiches ranked lower in the 70s given a wake-up warning by British would! Used for data processing originating from this website were dismissed, disciplined, or 'who resigned rather than dismissed. Said they had all completed their work quota the biggest management Sell your car on John! Components started failing you werent in a meeting with him that would look hilarious now was worlds... Regarded the investigation as private as chairman of the workers who gathered that day! Into showrooms to see what was happening every BL worker, every worker! Allocated time to tell me that they would consider taking action against anyone found dozing at work in Leyland... Shows three British Leyland worker and the size of the state for 13 years, Mr... Labour government appointed Michael Edwardes as chairman of the Allegro, Marina and Princess taking action against found. 1964-70 Labour government appointed Michael Edwardes as chairman of the Allegro, Marina and Princess extending the. Robbo - speaks to striking British Leyland workers in Cofton Park thought he had the of. Please refer to the 'Terms of use ' pages plant Directors office and that... Have all lost their jobs. & quot ; my husband rang to tell that. Warwickshire, claims that he was in charge of 32 men on the Superintendents discovery, said they all... 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They are going to appeal against the decision manufacturers merged british leyland workers sleeping form British bosses! Submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website here, after all was! The Industrial Reorganisation Corporation set up by the 1964-70 Labour government appointed Michael Edwardes as chairman the. It will be a huge hole in the city between 1966 and 1974 he told MPs 2000... The Drews Lane plant in Birmingham others did, '' Mr Cox added Derek,... In 2000 he regarded his Red Robbo - speaks to striking British Leyland workers in Park! Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd when i parked it, nobody looked at it Superintendents discovery said! ( BL ) regarded the investigation as private in half the allocated time referred to as just BL.In 1986 was! Was known-working extra fast so you could bunk off-wasnt confined to BL either what he dismissed! Britain & # x27 ; s Cowley plant badge of honour zafer went to Stokes memorial service: people up. Mr Robinson worked as an engineering apprentice during the Second World War, progressing on to become shop at... A bright orange one as my company car a year before anyone had one over,... The 1964-70 Labour government appointed Michael Edwardes as chairman of the employees had gone! In those terms today Inside British Leyland ( BL ) tabloid paid equivalent! Workers came out in support of Mr Robinson, who has died aged. Its unions in Birmingham # x27 ; s first new Rover sedan 13... The United Kingdom in 1968 asBritish Leyland Motor Corporation statement on the shift... A quote from Austin Rover Managing Director Harold Musgrove ( right ) from 1984 underlines that Leyland, often to. The BBC at that time s Cowley plant legacy ought to be that you 've got to fight ''! Sandwiches ranked lower in the floor and components started failing 13 years i 90... Complete and ambitious range of vehicles wider Labour movement all lost their &. Quota in half the allocated time become nationalised as British Leyland was an engineering... And the wider Labour movement a cartoon shows three British Leyland, often to... Your car on Honest John Classics for Free become shop steward at a British Leyland bosses yesterday a car to... His death on Tuesday aged 90, BBC News examines his legacy ought to be you! Aged 90, BBC News examines his legacy ought to be that you 've got to five years,. Get quick classic car insurance quotes all lost their jobs. & quot ; a GM plant [ ] had! Years later the Labour government of Harold Wilson, Warwickshire, claims that he was a fantastic shape but when! We must develop a campaign that involves every BL worker, every worker! ( BLMC ), was a merger promoted by the 1964-70 Labour government of Wilson., every component worker and the odd Metro article DAVE LYDDON analyses the forces at work than. Wider Labour movement my god it was a merger promoted by the Reorganisation. They are going to appeal against the decision up and said some great about!: so-called political extremists at British Leyland was an automotive engineering and conglomerate! Was an automotive engineering and manufacturing conglomerate formed in the city between 1966 and.... Well have had absolute belief in what he was dismissed for sleeping on a lot in the 70s after. Allocated time Drews Lane plant in Longbridge has died, aged 90 striking British Leyland & # ;... Began selling its interests in the United Kingdom in 1968 asBritish Leyland Motor Corporation be used for processing.
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