MOTOR FIRM’S DISMISSALS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27990, 9 June 1956, Page 9

MOTOR FIRM’S DISMISSALS

No Government Intercession

(Rec. 930 p.m.) LONDON. June 7. Mr lain Macleod. Minister of Labour, refused a request from union chiefs in London tonight to bring pressure to bear on the Standard Motor Company which is dismissing 2600 workers, made redundant By the introduction of automation.

He told a delegation that if the Standard management intended to aflhere to their decision that they had insufficient work to keep on all their men. the Government would not bring pressure to bear on them. The Standard Company, employing 11.000 workers in the Midland industrial citv of Coventry, decided on the dismissals because of the introduction of automation in its tractor plant. The company said it could not absorb the men in its motor-car division because of a slackening in demand for motor vehicles. . The union delegation, at their meeting with the Minister, urged that there should be a trial of a shorter working week at the Standard worics to give a “breathing space” for further consideration of the redundancy problem Mr Macleod replied, however, there could be no interference with the company’s decision, although he promised to ask the heads of the firm to meet him to discuss the union proposal.