British Leyland men reject 'Red Robbo’

Press, 22 February 1980, Page 6

British Leyland men reject ' Red Robbo’

NZPA-Reuter Birmingham Workers at British Leyland’s giant . LOngbridge - vehicle plant overwhelmingly threw out a call to strike in support of the sacked Communist shopfloor leader, Derek ’ “Red Robbo” Robinson. A loud cheer rose at the mass meeting of 12,000 of the Mini car plant’s 16,000 manual workers when only about 1000 hands were raised in support of the Engineering Union’s strike call. The State-owned British Leyland hailed the unexpected result as demonstrating decisive, backing by the

workers for its extensive recovery programme. '■ During the 45-minute/ mass meeting a clod ofearth was hurled at Mr Rob-, inson as he stood on a rostrum. Workers “Out, out, out,” and one. waved a placard with theslogan, “We don’t want you back Robbo.” Mr Robinson, who headsan unofficial committee of' Union shop-floor leaders at. the plant, was dismissed for--allegedly agitating against' British Leyland’s recovery} plan, which entails slimming; down the work-force and; closing some of its 37.. plants. _____