Cowley to go on strike?

A strike by 1,400 engineering workers at British Leyland's Cowley, Oxford, car plant threatens widespread lay-offs among the 19,000-strong labour force. Production of Maxi saloons is already at a standstill and 600 men are laid off.

The strikers claim they are losing £3 a week as a result of the switch from Saturday working, paid for at time-and-a-half rates to Wednesday working at normal rates. They are pressing the company to pay a guaranteed minimum of 34 hours while three-day working continues. The strikers, members of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers, are responsible for all maintenance work

There is to be a mass meeting on Tuesday. Cowley is not due to resume work until the night shift on that day.