"He may well have had absolute belief in what he was doing, but few others did," Mr Cox added. A communist, he had led 523 walkouts at the Birmingham car plant during a 30-month period, gaining the nickname Red Robbo from journalists and becoming an increasingly divisive national figure. They discovered all the 14 men employed there, including a supervisor, asleep or dozing in sleeping bags, blankets and makeshift bunks. work. Security officers kept watch from behind an extractor fan in a paint shop from where they could see a clocking point. "I can sleep sound at night because I never betrayed the workers I was elected to represent," he said. He wrote in his 1983 book, Back from the Brink, that Mr Robinson had "kept Longbridge in ferment and upheaval" for years and "disruption and upheaval" were his "food and drink". In 1975 Robinson succeeded Dick Ethridge, a fellow Communist Party member, as the AEU convenor at Longbridge. Transcribed & marked up by Einde O'Callaghan for ETOL.. Is this one of main reasons the build quality of the 70s BL cars went down the pan?? 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. 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. Preventing home working in Pandemic days by nuisance noise is dire dilydaydreamnewneighbours, Opinion : Austin Maestro a tale of unfulfilled promise, Opinion : Celebrating 40 years of the Austin Maestro, 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 : Car plant strikers go back for talks. He was dressed. The public believed the brand was the cheapest and Tesco seemed poised to conquer every field of commerce. Classic car tax exemption: what you need to know. "He is quoted as saying: 'If we make Leyland successful, it will be a political victory. Bits of hardware still running off BBC B computers..! Heal opens up on shock mid-season move. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. (10 seconds outside of a garage in hot sun and the paint would fade and turn into something resembling 1000 grit sandpaper..?). Seven years ago Tony Cliff wrote, 'The aim of the . We ask Birmingham: How can bus services improve in the city? 2023 BBC. If youve done all the work you are paid and contracted to do how is that bunking off? In the morning when they woke up they had large banging on the door it was the police. These were blamed by managers for delays to production of 62,000 cars and 113,000 engines, costing the business an estimated 200m. As shop steward at British Leyland in Longbridge, Birmingham, he was involved in a series of strikes and walkouts over alleged mismanagement. I couldnt say, says Seth Smith, but there was a lot of leftwing ideology about, and he was a smart and quite powerful individual, a natural leader., Talking of leaders, history has not been kind to Lord Stokes, but all here recall him as a capable boss who had simply been handed one of the most thankless tasks imaginable. Mr Robinson worked as an engineering apprentice during the Second World War, progressing on to become shop steward at a plant in Longbridge. Perhaps more importantly, the rational economy, which includes companies like ICJ, Racal and . A firebrand union leader and former British Leyland worker has died aged 90. British Motor Holdings merged with the Leyland Motor Company to form the British Leyland Motor Corporation on January 17, 1968. Modified date: August 5, 2017. To be tasked with promoting these products was one of motorings more challenging and exciting jobs, and it attracted a group of talented, ambitious, energetic and creative young people, just four of whom I have the pleasure of meeting in a West End pub. 1990s Vauxhalls seemed to have red paint that faded quickly, so most surviving ones look more pink than red these days. Where can you get cheap classic car insurance? The night shift came in and went to sleep. But the car giant had been hit hard by post-war economic struggles and had developed a reputation for producing low-quality cars. This support saved brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover and Mini from . Where can you get cheap classic car insurance? NICKNAMED Red Robbo, Derek Robinson became one of the most famous trade unionists of the 1970s and as the shop stewards' convener at British Leyland was the man responsible for no fewer than 523 . Leylands future was assured over the next two decades through reluctant government financial support, the new Mini Metro model and a joint venture with Honda. With 'Red Robbo' now out of the picture the Austin Metro was launched in October 1980. Where can you get quick classic car insurance quotes? 1983 Cowley Moles. Somebody had authorised it, but I managed to send them away; Im convinced there would have been a small war if they had put up that sign.. I am worried sick." The pamphlet said: All our efforts and resources must be mobilised to change the policy of closures and contraction. But the political mood of the country was changing. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The response was:Theyve been doing it for years., Wed been establishing targets, establishing line rates and achieving 60 per cent of the target, which meant that the track stopped for 40 per cent of the day. From the Shop Stewards point of view BL management had entered into an agreement with them to end piecework and, a few years later, they were trying to renege on the deal. The paint turned dull and flat quite quickly. Archive : 1979 from the National Archives, Archive : Sleeping foreman loses dismissal case against BL. Mr Robinson led the fight back, organising hundreds of disputes. Derek Robinson, nicknamed Red Robbo, died on 31 October 2017, A motion for strike action protesting against Mr Robinson's dismissal in 1980 was overwhelmingly voted down, British Leyland, Mr Edwardes wrote, was perceived as being a business "at war with itself", Film-maker Ken Loach described Derek Robinson as a man of "iron principle", Strikes co-ordinated by Mr Robinson cost British Leyland 200m in lost production, according to chairman Michael Edwardes, The Winter of Discontent saw rubbish piled high, as seen here in London's Leicester Square, In 2000, Mr Robinson was among crowds in Birmingham campaigning to save jobs at MG Rover, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Is the 1990 Ford Escort Bonus a classic car? 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. The biggest problem was scabs of rust breaking through the paint all over the car within a couple of years. This has not happened easily and Black and Asian people have often had to fight for their rights. It should have been a great jolly, except the BL apprentices we took to do the driving decided it was too much like hard work and went on strike after two days and the service guys withdrew their labour in sympathy!, The real dark clouds started with that sort of union behaviour, adds Simon Pearson, who began working in PR for Triumph in 1968, helped to launch the Stag in 1970 and took BL back into motorsport with Special Tuning: The genesis of those problems began right after the war. BL described this as potentially dangerous. We all worked like hell to make it work Inside British Leyland. British Leyland would once again become a privately-owned company and the size of the state sector would be reduced. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. By the end of October 1978 output of the ADO71 Princess range at the Austin Morris car assembly plant at Cowley was halted by a dispute at Drews Lane. 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. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 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. He will give evidence today. DAILY EXPRESS BUY BRITISH DRIVE FOR LEYLAND BOOST By David Benson An aggressive campaign to 'Buy British' is to be launched by Leyland British Leyland is to be granted a further 300m of state aid next year, with 133m to follow if the vehicle group's performance improves. DAILY EXPRESS BUY BRITISH By Peter Durisch Leyland chief Sir Michael Edwardes left Britain over Christmas with a special messagefor BL seals pact for Japanese to produce first car in Britain From our Correspondent Tokyo, Dec 27 BL and Honda today ratified an agreement Robert Taylor investigates recently released Cabinet papers that document the end of the 1974-79 Labour Government The newly-opened Mr Robert Yates, British Leyland foreman, last night lost a claim that he was. He added that communists active in Unite "mourned the loss of their most distinguished veteran, a mentor and guide to us all". The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. "He's to be hugely respected.". The idea was that they should be able to make triple time: do each job in a third of the time allowed which meant that by half past two everyone would pack up and bugger off home!, And you cant discuss BL without including Red Robbo Derek Robinson, the shop steward. 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. Manage Settings That had to be the responsibility of management.. The statement added that the company regarded the investigation as private. Kearsley has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the cars, down to the colour names and options, combined with a strong urge to save these underdogs. Initially, the workers came out in support of Mr Robinson, he said. Shop stewards representing various tool room shops meet to discuss how they can support the British Leyland shop and propose a series of one day token strikes. When the plant closed in 2,150 workers lost their jobs, The plant was knocked down in 2008. . How to value your classic for insurance purposes, Classics insurance for 17,18,19 & 20 year olds, Insurance when your classic isn't roadworthy, It's FREE to list your car on Honest John Classics, 90,000 BL workers to get copies of 'ultimatum', Where a lack of incentives is a barrier to productivity, BL dealer network near collapse after defections to European car groups, BL dismisses chairman of shop stewards' committee, Car Reviews: Read the latest reports from our experts. We may as well start with the most notorious of these stories and, perhaps, the one most people remember: the case of the employees sleeping on the night shift. The worker participation scheme at British Leyland was known as the Ryder Plan. This British Leyland collection is diverse, huge and full of interest. But if the SD1 receives a vote of confidence, what about the great unmentionables the likes of the Allegro, Marina and Princess? DeSantis won't say he's running. Judge for yourself. This means employees can complete their daily stint, or work quota, and then go home at any time from 3.00pm onwards, but still be paid to the end of the shift. Vilified by the media as "Red Robbo" he was also betrayed, in the eyes of his supporters, by trade union bosses. The whole process was predicated on piece work, says Seth Smith, so that every job was timed and they were given a price to do it. Mr Lampett, who joined Rover 22 years earlier as a Tool Setter, said: I believe I have been treated very harshly. 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. I am worried sick." Seth Smith recalls the introduction of the Series III E-type in 1971: We took journalists to Browns Lane and had a nice presentation on the V12 then took them on a tour of the new engine shop. After two days of disciplinary hearings and . Elon Musk sacks 200 MORE Twitter staff - including top lieutenant who boasted about sleeping in her office to commit to billionaire's new 'hardcore' work culture - before posting cryptic tweet But why had Mr Robinson's fellow workers not supported him? Thatcher provided British Leyland with 2.9 billion pounds ($4.4 billion) of taxpayer money from 1979 to 1988, Rhys said. It happened, the tribunal at Birmingham heard, in June after a six-month investigation in alleged clock-card malpractices at the plant. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLAND (Lord McCluskey) The company remained a ward of the state for 13 years. It was about two oclock in the afternoon. "He wasn't at all like what the media portrayed him as in the 1970s," he said. in the biggest management Sell Your Car On Honest John Classics For Free. The British Leyland Motor Company, BLMC, was formed back in 1968. Former Leyland worker Stephen Cox said Mr Robinson was regarded by many as "way out on an extreme". I called into the Plant Directors office and said that Id like to look around to see what was happening. The Musicians Union, which was the union for musicians employed directly by the BBC, dictated that Top of the Pops had to employ a staff orchestra and singers, even if their services werent needed, which in most cases they were not. Born in Bedfordshire but now residing in Norfolk, Ian Nicholls is an ardent BL enthusiast. With two successive name changes, British Leyland became BL Limited in 1979. "The Communist Party then dominated the factory's workforce, with many hundred Daily Workers [newspaper] being sold every day," he wrote in his blog. When former Triumph and Leyland Special Tuning man Richard Seth Smith arrives, proffering a rare Rover SD1 press pack, all concerned nod sagely at the suggestion that this was yet another brilliantly conceived but indifferently executed car. 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. Management regarded him as an "insidious influence" and his days at the car firm had been numbered. 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. Inside British Leyland Stories from those at the coalface. 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. Yet surely using cheap steel on what was classed as an upmarket product was a big mistake and the Lancia joined the lesser Fiat Strada on the list of cars to avoid due to premature rust. However, someone should have really gone at Lyons (head of Jag) and put him firmly in his place. One factor perhaps not widely understood is that chronic under-investment meant that many major components were being built on pre-war tooling, whereas the Germans, for example, had all the latest kit. Read about our approach to external linking. Not really, its just moved from BL to the NHS. Says Pearson: We had quite regular contact with DGS as he was known internally. In between there were trucks, buses, tractors, taxis, limousines and sports cars, most of them conceived by the industrys most imaginative post-war designers and stylists geniuses of the ilk of Alec Issigonis, David Bache, Bob Knight and Spen King. after annual holidays (see 5 July). 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. The size, militancy and determination felt on the pickets, demos and rallies show that the sleeping giant, the British working class, has stirred. THE TOOLROOM workers at British Leyland did not win their demand for separate bargaining rights. "He was a very competent man in private life he was very kind and very caring.". 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. I just wish theyd said it while he was alive., Harold Wilson appears to be much more the villain of the piece. Mr Robinson . Only British Rail and its curly-edged sandwiches ranked lower in the publics estimation. Giving the Tribunals decision, Mr Smith said it should be made clear that Mr Yates dismissal predated others, which came after publicity given to workers found sleeping on a night shift. 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. It needs the shock treatment of standing on its own two feet like any other business. Only three men, none of them Mr Yates, had gone to the clocking point before 6.45 am, the end of the shift. By Chris Hampson. When questioned the men said they had completed their work quota. BL began selling its interests in the 1980s, and by 1990 the Ford Motor . 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. The story first hit the headlines on 12 November 1979 when it was revealed that 14 night shift workers had been caught sleeping at a British Leyland plant. . The struggle for equality at work. He was a lovely guy, recalls Greenhill, when you werent in a meeting with him. Was he a communist infiltrator? 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, India anti-corruption crusader fighting to clear his name, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. One night him and his mate who were on the maintenance nightshift went to sleep in the cupboards. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. In this article DAVE LYDDON analyses the forces at work in British Leyland. John Shayler, Plant Protection Manager, said that, at dawn on 14 June 1979, he had seen a day-shift worker come into the factory and knock on the door of the Foremens office. BLMC was created in 1968 by the merger of British Motor Holdings (BMH) and Leyland Motor Corporation (LMC), encouraged by the Wilson . A plan by the unions to fight for a mass-volume car manufacturing was truncated when Robinson was sacked by British Leyland in November 1979. The company remained a ward of the state for 13 years. The company refused to comment while a hearing was still continuing into charges against a Superintendent. He worked variously for Morris, Austin, BMC, BLMC, BMLH, Leyland Cars, Austin-Morris and Jaguar-Rover- Triumph Thats roughly a new corporate brand every 10 months and on the launches of the Allegro, 18-22 Series, TR7 and XJ-S. At that time, BL had the biggest advertising budget in the UK, he says, and we gave Saatchi its first-ever car account, which was the Princess., Dapper, silver-haired Alan Zafer, who began at MG, goes further: It was probably the greatest range of cars under one umbrella. 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. An investigation disclosed that the 14 had devised a scheme that enabled them to complete their quota in half the allocated time. Currently he owns a Jaguar and two classic Minis. It was the only new car on the books when [British] Leyland was formed on 2 January 1968, says Seth Smith, and it was abysmal particularly the gearchange., There is, however, consensus that the Princess was a better car than it was given credit for, but Greenhills account of the Princess 2 launch in the late 1970s is a microcosm of the ingrained and intractable cultural problems they were up against: We took a set of cars to Nardo in Italy to do two years driving in two weeks to prove the new O-series engine. 1970 Ferrari 512M track test Group 5 great driven at Paul Ricard, Driving the legendary Bentley 3 Litre and Bentley 4 Litre. 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. For Free two successive name changes, British Leyland with 2.9 billion pounds ( $ 4.4 )..., a fellow Communist Party member, as the AEU convenor at Longbridge someone should have gone! 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Of 'no hope ' - BBC reporter in Greece car tax exemption: what you need to.. Than red these days malpractices at the car giant had been hit by...