42 months in Cowley

Scan page 11

December 1976 Regional Inquiry into the four elections ordered by shop floor April 1977 March Widespread Works over speed-up.

April 5 1974 Strikers receive sack threat from Company.

April 8 1974 Strikers vote to go back against advice of convenors.

April 9 1974 Plant shut down by strike Transport dept-Thornett's section.

April BL Management withdraws recognition from Thornett resulting in 3 week strike by Transport drivers.

Inquiry findings published Thornett cleared on all pointsFryer found guilty of bringing union into disrepute. No charges ever laid against him. Fresh ballot and a new branch in the Assembly Plant.

Parsons elected

ballot. 1974 5/293 Branch set up. Majority of members persuaded to go into it. Thornett and other militants join 5/293 Branch.

June 1974 Parsons in control, Company December ality.

December Thornett • voted delegate " to for 5/293.

July 1975 gate Conference as delegate for 5/293.

July 1975 Oxford Trades Council disaffiliated from TUC as right wing attempt to consolidate their position in the town.

August in principle.

September Joint Shop Stewards Committee open the books committee formed.

November Participation accepted in Assembly Plant by crucial vention of the Stalinists.

November Tom White, (WRP), goes November venors.

December Parsons re-elected convenor with much reduced majority.

December of the 5/55 Branch January 5/293 and 5/55 branches challenge "impossible votes" in National Committee, Regional Committee and GEC elections.

January Wing to ballot rigging an inquiry into allegations is refused by Region.

February Committee and GEC due to "technical infringement of the rules". 1976 Buckle appointed official for Assembly Plant by Jack Jones. 1976 Thornett elected chairman of tee. 1976 the Oxford District Automative Committee-Parsons declared voted for Thornett.

strikes in South ine mutuality clause and Ist in resulting LE LE make, major advances against many levels and protective agreement-particularly mutuBiennial Delegate Conference 1971 Thornett goes to Biennial DeleJuly 1977 Full meeting of Leyland Cars convenors accept 'participation' 1977 August September 19 Tom White included on Parsons September 19 published slate for deputy conOctober 1977 October Tim O'Sullivan elected chairman November Despite massive evidence point- Nov 22 1977 1977 Region orders fresh election for National Committee, Regional 1977 Dec 8 & 9 1977 Joint Shop Stewards CommitRight wing manipulate vote at elected to Automative National Conference when majority After complaint by majority Automative Committee delegates, Region forced to reçognise travesty but withdraw the right of the Oxford Committee to send any delegate to Automative Conference. Oxford Automotive Committee disbanded because right wing had lost their majority on it. Recognition removed from 4 stewards by British Leyland during struggle to defend a victimised worker. Mass meeting votes support but strike sold out after two weeks. Decision for a Regional Inquiry.

victimised stewards.

Inquiry findings published-4 stewards found quilty of bringing the union into disrepute. Stewards cards removed, Oxford DC given authority to "reorganise" the TGWU in the Assembly Plant.

First edition of 293 Branch Report circulated.

DC accepts Buckles. proposals for 'reorganisation'-a new branch to be formed, the 837, and a TGWU stewards committee created with a constitution written by him.

Mass meetings fail to endorse Buckles proposals but Buckle goes ahead. Massive campaign to recruit into new branch.

Second edition of Branch Report circulated.

Thornett and O'Sullivan attend BDC on the Isie of Man5/293 motion calls for sliding scale of wages, third of confer• ence vote for it.

TGWU stewards committee formed with straight-jacket constitution while Thornett and O'Sullivan are in the I.O.M. 5/293 begins campaign for £100 plus sliding scale.

Third edition of Branch Report circulated.

First meeting of 837 Branch. Fourth edition of Branch Leyland Cars hold ballot on Corporate Bargaining-workers accept in dubious ballot. Massive problems of implementation remaining.

Fifth edition of Branch Report published.

Special meeting of Oxfard District Committee sets up Kangaroo Court.

Main candidates in election receive list of charges against them.

Fryer elected convenor, White, Thornett, and Corti elected deputy convenors.

Disciplinary hearings heid at Transport House. Fryer and Thornett refuse to attend because the hearings outside of rule.

Thornett re elected chairman of 5/293.

Roche voted off General Executive Council in ballot greatly influenced by the struggle for democracy two years ago.