TRUCK Edwardes
Socialist Organiser1982 1982-02-11Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 9 →
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CSEU officers... We propose the following steps:
1. Phased programme over two years to achieve the bargaining reforms of the Ryder Report.
2. Principle of parity in all grades in BL Cars to be achieved no later than November 1979, 3. Staff conditions to be implemented by November 1978, 4. Introduction of incentive schemes, mutually agreed at plant level"
Although the company side of the JWP disagreed with details of the four points, the points gave Lowry all the loopholes he urging a 'yes' vote.
The package was accepted'by a two-to-one majority. It included parity proposals, the 'outline' of a bonus scheme, and ten per cent on the rate payable from February 1978 (because of Callaghan's 12month rule).
It also included the previously rejected 'Security of Earnings document' , with slightly modified no-strike penalty clauses:
1977-78: the first Edwardes plan skilled, were to be introduced from November 1, 1979.
The package was strongly recommended in a further postal ballot by the Working Party, which by now had been transformed into a Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC). It was a completely undemocratic body, not elected by the membership, and with a built-in majority for the skilled workers, despite the TGWU organising two thirds of BL workers.
Although the package was accepted 60/40, the most difficult part was to actually siot the thousands Michael Edwardes PHOTO: JOHN HARRIS