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. As for his Red Robbo nickname, Mr Robinson told MPs in 2000 he regarded it as a badge of honour. 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. Stories from those at the coalface. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Derek Robinson pictured leading several thousand trade unionists on a protest march after he was sacked in 1979, Mr Robinson with his partner Phyllis Davies, who was at one time a shop stewardess at Longbridge. Salary: 24,000 - 28,000 per annum including sleep-in allowance. As shop steward at British Leyland in Longbridge, Birmingham, he was involved in a series of strikes and walkouts over alleged mismanagement. Often this meant DJs talked too much to keep within the restrictions, which annoyed listeners, until finally in 1987 needletime was axed. At one stage one in eight pounds spent in Britain were with Tesco. My god it was awful, it was bought . 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. A Supervisor who was sleeping was also dismissed, along with a Foreman. The former British Leyland worker and trade unionist Derek Robinson has died, aged 90. There is a long-standing tradition known as stint and finish. I was involved in hire and lease sales, he explains, and if someone wanted an XJ6 or a Stag, I just told them that they had to take half a dozen Marinas as well., Greenhill worked at BMC/BL for 13 years, starting as a Technical sales apprentice in 1966 and finishing up as Jaguars marketing manager when the SIII XJ was launched. We had a LDV van at work for about 7 years. He left school aged 14 to begin work at the Austin plant at Longbridge, initially as an apprentice toolmaker. Mr Robinson led the fight back, organising hundreds of disputes. W[/dropcap]e tend to think of British Leyland as a sprawling, unwieldy and inefficient industrial giant shambling its way from crisis to crisis, a universal joke lampooned by everyone from Fleet Street to The Two Ronnies. Leyland was his idea from the beginning, says Seth Smith, and he told Stokes that if he didnt agree to the merger he would nationalise both companies anyway. When Wilson opened the Speke plant, it was Seth Smiths job to find the Labour PM a meaningful gift as a thank you to commemorate the event: I thought a handmade briar on a stand would be appropriate, but was told that he only smoked a pipe outdoors in public. So says Simon Pearson of his time at the much-maligned British Leyland. In this occasional series Ian Nichollsrevisits some of these stories, using the newspaper articles of the time as the main source of information. 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. Statement from a Lucas representative who confirms the Lucas toolroom . Robinson was born in Cradley Heath, near Birmingham, in 1927, to a family of chainmakers. The plant . 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. "I can sleep sound at night because I never betrayed the workers I was elected to represent," he said. The sleeping on the night shift story went quiet until the New Year of 1980. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, Kobe Bryant widow wins $29m settlement from LA, Trump lashes out at Murdoch over vote fraud case. Duration: 0:05:15. . In the morning when they woke up they had large banging on the door it was the police. No votes so far! 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". Exterior view of British Leyland Strandard Triumph works entrance and gatehouse at Canley, Coventry . Derek "Red Robbo" Robinson, who has died aged 90, was the firebrand British Leyland workers' representative whose sacking in November 1979 came to symbolise Margaret Thatcher's . We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Judge for yourself. "He wasn't at all like what the media portrayed him as in the 1970s," he said. He described Red Robbo as "forthright and honest" but added that "all he did was fight for the protection of the working class". Once part of the sprawling British Leyland automotive empire that epitomised Britain's industrial decline . 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. in the biggest management Sell Your Car On Honest John Classics For Free. The former British Leyland worker and trade unionist Derek Robinson has died, aged 90. He was in charge of 32 men on the night shift who were dismissed, disciplined, or 'who resigned rather than be dismissed. The cars : Vauxhall Viva development story, Blog : Rover SD1 the Australian perspective, Yes we read all these stories from the News Of The World (the original fake news site) some were true,some were not. Ray Horrocks (right), the head of BL Cars, told Chairman Michael Edwardes: We talk of regaining management control and applying proper discipline. Musgrovemay well have beenreferring to the Drews Lane plant in Birmingham. But the political mood of the country was changing. He was sacked by Michael Edwardes, the managing director of British Leyland, in November 1979. 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. Lancashire's workers have increased the amount of hours they put in by 1.5% since . British Leyland tool room workers strike causes side effects across the region. That was not the responsibility of the employees, that was not the responsibility of the workforce. acquired by BMC in 1953. Mr Yates, of Coplow Close, Balsall Common, Warwickshire, claims that he was unfairly dismissed. The men said that, when they had done their work, they should be allowed to go home. The British Leyland Motor Company, BLMC, was formed back in 1968. With two successive name changes, British Leyland became BL Limited in 1979. It wasnt just at BL. Five minutes afterwards Mr Yates came out. Classic car tax exemption: what you need to know. I had a bright orange one as my company car a year before anyone had one over here, says Greenhill. it was just part of a long running campaign by the mainly right wing press that had gone on since the end of WW2 against organized labour. Mr Yates, of Coplow Close, Balsall Common, Warwickshire, claims that he was unfairly dismissed. The former British Leyland worker and trade unionist Derek Robinson has died, aged 90. Calling for him to step in to end the 12 week . Former Leyland worker Stephen Cox said Mr Robinson was regarded by many as "way out on an extreme". Sell Your Car On Honest John Classics For Free. 1983 Cowley Moles. The quota system mentioned seems to have been a relic of the deal to end piecework in the early 1970s. 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. Mr Robinson, one of the most famous trade unionists of the 1970s, was dubbed Red Robbo by the media. 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. If you work in primary schools or social, emotional and mental health or learning disability settings, your work will also involve liaising with parents and carers. Strikes co-ordinated by Mr Robinson cost British Leyland 200m in lost production, according to chairman Michael Edwardes Former Leyland worker Stephen Cox said Mr Robinson was regarded by many . Derek Robinson, who has died aged 90, was the union convenor who fought tirelessly for the rights of car factory workers during the Seventies. The incident would be reported to the management and judged on the circumstances. The Unite union said the "dedicated life-long trade unionist" fought for "the rights and future" of workers. The measured day rate replaced piece work at around 1970-1974 IIRC. Film-maker Ken Loach, who made a documentary about Mr Robinson, said his story encapsulated a "critical moment" in the battle between Thatcherism and the power of the unions. Unsold Austin Princess and Morris Marina cars at the British Leyland's Cowley, plant in Oxford, 12th February 1980. What fire was my friends answer to which the policeman pointed to the mess of the building next door and the thirty fire engines surrounding it! A company statement on the Superintendents discovery, said they had all completed their work quota. British Leyland would once again become a privately-owned company and the size of the state sector would be reduced. An uncompromising and . 2023 BBC. Management regarded him as an "insidious influence" and his days at the car firm had been numbered. The struggle for equality at work. Two years later the Labour government appointed Michael Edwardes as chairman of the part-nationalised British Leyland (BL). Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Where can you get quick classic car insurance quotes? They made BL look like rank amateurs. 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. The tabloid paid the equivalent of 75,000 to buy letters which not only . 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. I am worried sick." British Leyland's Truck and Tractor Plant, Bathgate, 1980. 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. 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. All this was occurring at the same time as the crisis confronting BL over its decision to fire Longbridge Convener Derek Robinson. Am I being targeted by an overpayment scam? The worker participation scheme at British Leyland was known as the Ryder Plan. Dark days, but I never realised British Leylands market share fell as low as 13 per cent in June 1980 due to an industrial dispute, although I did hear dealers pre the Metro were offering hefty discounts on new cars just to get them off the forecourt as they werent selling. On unveiling day, the company boasted, 100,000 Britons packed into showrooms to see the car and placed orders worth . The long-standing custom and practice of allowing men to go home early once they had completed their quota of work was a thorny industrial relations issue. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 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. 1970 Ferrari 512M track test Group 5 great driven at Paul Ricard, Driving the legendary Bentley 3 Litre and Bentley 4 Litre. Michael Edwardes, who has died aged 88, was the chair of the car giant British Leyland during the critical period of the company's transformation from 1977 to 1982. Derek 'Red Robbo' Robinson led a long-running battle against management at the British Leyland plant in Longbridge throughout the 1970s. Only three men, none of them Mr Yates, had gone to the clocking point before 6.45 am, the end of the shift. 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. 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. Five minutes afterwards Mr Yates came out. 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. History will show that Derek was unfairly maligned by the media as he aimed to find solutions to British Leyland's industrial disputes and turn around the car company." Derek Robinson, trade . The pamphlet said: All our efforts and resources must be mobilised to change the policy of closures and contraction. This British Leyland collection is diverse, huge and full of interest. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. We ask Birmingham: How can bus services improve in the city? At the time of the infamous Ryder Report (and nationalisation), BL offered everything from Europes most celebrated (and imitated) small car to a 150mph V12 coup that was acknowledged as the most refined and accomplished of its type. Ideal business/holiday rental Perfect for families, friends and work colleagues (a pet friendly home) The cottage is an attractive Grade ll listed property recently totally refurbished to a high standard maintaining its character and charm, an unusual build with Venetian type windows and a . Seth Smith joined Leyland Motor Corporation as Triumph press officer in 1967, and in 1968 helped with the famous announcement of the Leyland and BMH merger. What's he waiting for? 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. BLMC was created in 1968 by the merger of British Motor Holdings (BMH) and Leyland Motor Corporation (LMC), encouraged by the Wilson . Not really, its just moved from BL to the NHS. But if the SD1 receives a vote of confidence, what about the great unmentionables the likes of the Allegro, Marina and Princess? Vilified by the media as "Red Robbo" he was also betrayed, in the eyes of his supporters, by trade union bosses. 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. Leyland Dozers Sacked. When we walked the shop floor, I think 90 per cent of the employees had actually gone home. Even today, there are certain professions where . He was credited with causing 523 walkouts at British Leyland between 1978 and 1979, costing an estimated 200 million in lost . British Leyland, Britain's largest automaker, faced bankruptcy in 1975. 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. A spokesman said that they would Mr Arthur Scargill yesterday pledged the support of Yorkshire miners for the reinstatement of Mr Derek Robinson the shop stewards' By Edward Townsend BL's controversial 2m "Buy British" campaign, initially aimed at new car buyers, has now been directed at dealers. BL has delayed implementation of its plans for the MG factory at Abingdon in Oxfordshire because of a probable offer from the consortium. What's the best type of insurance for my 30+ year old Volvo? People were not being properly paid and rewarded so they got together and formed their own alliance. By Business Ideas UK October 31, 2017. One of the most notorious trade unionists in recent memory has died aged 90. 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. 2023 BBC. Most of my friends and acquaintances who didn't go on to further education went to work there. Mr Robinson was elected shop steward soon after the end of his apprenticeship and by the late 1940s was a member of the Communist Party "in which he remained for the rest of his life", Mr Stevenson said. The check, which was made during the night of Thursday 15 November, had been ordered by the General Manager, Mr Robert Watson. If you want to see the true horrors of 1970s workplaces, have a look at the ship building industry. I pointed out that we paid them until 4.30pm. "There were big strikes across British Leyland, but union leaders instructed them to go back to work," Mr Loach believes. 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. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The former British Leyland worker and trade unionist Derek Robinson has died, aged 90. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Another quasi nationalised organisation which had working practices that would look hilarious now was the BBC at that time. Product details page for Corgi Original Omnibus Leyland PD3 'Queen Mary' Southdown NBC is loaded. Sounds very like British Leyland at the start of the seventies, four out of ten new cars were British Leyland and imports were still rare, if slowly gaining ground, and a few customers werent happy about the quality of the new Maxi. Mr Robinson, one of the most famous trade unionists of the 1970s, was dubbed Red Robbo by the media. 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. This introduction is being written on 30 November 2011, the day we saw 2.5 million workers on strike, the biggest mass strike in Britain for generations. Undermining the shopfloor Six hundred workers had been laid off indefinitely because of a shortage of suspension units caused by a work to rule by 150 workers at the transmission plant at Drews Lane.
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