Selling your classic car? It's FREE to list your car on Honest John Classics | No thanks

Derek Robinson is fired

20 November 1979

DAILY MIRROR

A Leyland spokesman said that Mr Robinson, a toolmaker and a member of the Engineering Union, had deliberately incited workers to revolt against the survival plans. He added: "This is undermining the company's recovery programme, threatening both our share of the market and confidence in the future. It cannot be allowed to continue."

Reaction

Transport Union leader Eddie McGarry said: "Leyland have landed themselves in a whole lot of trouble.”

"No sane union man will stand by and do nothing over the sacking of Mr Robinson ".

Leyland convenors from all over Britain meet in Coventry today to discuss a five per cent pay offer. They are sure to put the Robinson affair at the top of the agenda. The sacking will also be thrashed out by leaders of Mr Robinson's own union.

Although he is not liked by union moderates, including president Terry Duffy, they realise that he is the most powerful man on
the Leyland shopfloor.

More news from the archive

Thu, 15 Nov 1979
Sleeping men's supervisor is dismissed By Clifford Webb Midlands Industrial Correspondent BL yesterday completed disciplinary hearings...
Sat, 17 Nov 1979
More BL men found asleep on night shift From Our Correspondent Oxford Three days after 13 workers were dismissed after being found...
Tue, 20 Nov 1979
American dealers call for decision on MG By David Felton Worried American car dealers who hold BL franchises are pressing the British...
Tue, 20 Nov 1979
British Leyland vesterday dismissed Mr Derek Robinson. leader of the unofficial BL shop stewards' committee. in the biggest management...
Tue, 20 Nov 1979
Mr Robinson's final confrontation A thorn in the side of management and unions By Clifford Webb Mr Derek Robinson, the communist sacked...
Wed, 21 Nov 1979
DAILY EXPRESS RED DEREK'S FURY By Peter Hitchens and David Jack TROUBLE-TORN British Leyland was last night tottering on the brink...
Wed, 21 Nov 1979
EDWARDES IS WRECKING BL FROM WITHIN - MP Leyland chairman Sir Michael Edwardes was" the mole of BL ",”wrecking the firm from within,"...
Thu, 22 Nov 1979
More than 31,000 Leyland car workers were on strike or laid off last night in protest at the dismissal of the Longbridge unofficial...
Fri, 23 Nov 1979
BL warns union over strike support By Clifford Webb and Donald Macintyre Mr Pat Lowry, British Leyland's director of personnel, last...
Sat, 24 Nov 1979
BL is threatened by complete shutdown By Clifford Webb Midlands Industrial Correspondent The official trade union machinery closed...
 

Compare classic car insurance quotes and buy online. A friendly service offering access to a range of policies and benefits.

Get a quote