BL: The real attacks are coming

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THE STRUGGLE to save the 2,300 jobs at BL's threatened Rover SD1 plant in Solihull hangs in the balance as we go to press.

On I Monday 29th, the campaign received serious setback when a mass meeting of all SD1 workers voted to reject shop stewards' proposals to prevent the transfer of plant from Solihull to Cowley during the summer break.

The proposals would have meant refusing • to work on paint-shop equipment due to be moved to Cowley, and picketing the plant to prevent a 'rolling road' and tyre bay facilities being moved during the break.

This was rejected amid shouts from some workers for increased redundancy pay.

But since the meeting stewards have stepped up the 'propaganda war' on the shop floor with bulletins, debate, and argument.

On Monday 6th, SD1 stewards registered a 'failure to agree' at a national conference with management. They were supported in this stance by TGWU automotive secretary Grenville Hawley.

But Hawley has refused to address a vital mass meeting at Solihull on Wednesday 8th.

At this meeting, the workforce will be asked to back 'industrial action' to prevent the movement of work from Solihull. If this is rejected, then the fight is effectively over.

But even if it is carried, militants at Solihull will still have to argue strongly for the vague formulation of 'industrial action' to mean an occupation of the SD1 plant, as the basis of a fight throughout BL' against Edwardes' jobs carve-up. by management; and the discipline . procedure is used against stewards following stoppages on sections.

Managers obstruct the release of stewards who need to deal with problems on their sections, and there is a clampdown on stewards' meetings. There is no doubt that BL have set themselves an objective of destroying the shop stewards movement; and they don't see this as a long-term project.

The proposals to clamp down on convenors are an aspect of this all-round attack, but they are not the spearhead of it.

BL strategists are well aware that the role which most convenors play is too important to them for the convenors' system to be made a prime target too early. That will come later if they can successfully crush the shopfloor movement.

BL's comments on convenors are no new development.

They are contained in a document tabled to the unions in March this year covering new negotiating and disciplinary procedures. The most dangerous clauses have of course - not been mentioned by the media. They include: * A new National Negotiating Committee dominated by full-time officials; * A new disciplinary procedure giving BL the right of summary dismissal for what they choose to define as "gross industrial misconduct': * A clause making the new procedure legally binding, which would make every unofficial sti of his/her employment fore liable dismissal : worker on ike in breach contract of and thereto instant TGWU convenors have rejected the document, while the AUEW National Officers under the leadership of Ken Cure, have equivocated. BL are tabling the document again for 'discussion' this month; after which they are likely to try to force it in, perhaps as part of the forthcoming November wage review.

So, if the document is four months old, why did the clause on convenors hit the headlines last week? It is not simply that this is the issue which concerns convenors the most.

In fact the press took it up when it was raised from the rostrum of the Confed conference last week by former BL Longbridge Clerical Staffs convenor Bill Linthwaite.

Linthwaite was until recently Chairman of and give everyone 1 benefit of his opinio He told the conferen "The regime in Los bridge is now like Coldi The atmosphere is a pr der keg". That is certa ly true and - unl Linthwaite - 13.1 workers still have to wi there.

Linthwaite's exam says a lot for the crisis leadership that exists BL. There are dozens similar examples. Ser stewards who sought positions under partic ation and before, wi the perks were arou now sell their jobs and out when managem clamps down.

BL workers must t a leadership at comi level which is prepa for an uncompromi: struggle against a br and ruthless manager and who are preparer see that struggle oui the end. That is why urge BL workers to st ort and join with Leyland Action Cor ittee in its fight for sur new leadership.