Leyland spells it out 90,000 times

LEYLAND SPELLS IT OUT 90,000 TIMES
By Peter Hitchens

Leyland car chiefs were squaring up last night for another assault on shop floor militants. They plan yet another direct appeal to their workers less than a week after their massive 7-1 triumph in a nationwide poll on job cuts and closures. It will be a dramatic attempt to win the hearts and minds of the workforce , at the expense of shop steward power. There will be a direct plea by a 250,000 word leaflet to each of the 90,000 workers for a go ahead for " significant reforms."

It contains revolutionary plans to undermine the power of shop stewards. The information sheet could well be the first step towards a national secret ballot on the current two-per-cent-plus pay and efficiency offer. It will show there is scope for 15 per cent pay, rises in return for productivity. The propaganda exercise was approved by union leaders after three days of talks in Coventry.