Strikes at two Leyland plants make 3300 idle

British Leyland car production was severely reduced yesterday by strikes in its Triumph and Austin Morris subsidiaries. Some 3,300 men were idle and several assembly lines at a standstill. All Triumph car production with the exception of the TR6 sports car was halted at Coventry after a walkout by 700 trim shop workers. Another 400 were laid off. The strikers object to company moves to change production schedules and switch workers to new jobs. The proposals include changes in track speed, always a contentious issue.

A company spokesman said last night: "These changes are necessary to guarantee work for all employees following completion of the Herald range. Similar changes have already been accepted in other areas of the plant."

Production of 500 cars was lost. The strikers are meeting today.

At Austin-Morris, Longbridge, 600 engine assemblers went on strike over a manning dispute and the company laid off another 1600, All Mini production was halted. The company said last night that following a meeting of the works committee, shop stewards from the engine plant and management. the strikers had been recommended to resume work on tonight's shift to enable talks to take place on the men's grievance.