Leyland strike looms in fight over ‘Red Robbo’

Press, 9 February 1980, Page 7

Leyland strike looms in fight over ‘Red Robbo’

NZPA-Reuter London

The British Leyland Motor Corporation appears set on a collision course with Britain’s second biggest trade union over a Communist union official it sacked last November as a troublemaker. The State-owned company firmly refused to reinstate Derek “Red Robbo” Robinson despite a strike ultimatum from the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers. British Leyland also rejected a suggestion it should re-employ Mr Robinson as a toolmaker at

the Longbridge. Birmingham, plant where he was a full-time union convenor.

Ray Horrocks, managing director of British Leyland Cars, said the 52-year-old Communist's “disruptive and damaging influence” made reinstatement impossible.

The A.U.E.W. reacted sharply by reaffirming its decision to call out its 8.000 members at Longbridge next week unless Mr Robinson got his job back.

Longbridge is Leyland’s biggest plant in Britain, producing models such as

the Mini and Allegro as well as car components. The Leyland chairman (Sir Michael Edwardes) has accused Mr Robinson of being responsible for strikes that have cost the State-subsidised firm more than $460 million in lost production.

The final decision about a strike is expected to be taken by the 8000 Longbridge engineers at mass meetings early next week. If it does go ahead, there were fears that the remaining 12,000 workers at Longbridge and upwards of 30,000 elsewhere would be laid off immediately.