Cowley recognition fight
Socialist Press1978 1978-01-18Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 12 →
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Published by Folrose Ltd for the Workers Socialist League, 31, Dartmouth Park Printed by Prestagate of Reading (TU). Registered at the GPO as a newspaper.
British Leyland's refusal to recognise Alan Thornett as a TGWU Deputy Convenor at their Cowley Assembly Plant is to be the subject of a meeting between National Officers and Pat Lowry, British Leyland's Personnel Director.
After being elected in a shop floor ballot at the plant a month ago, Thornett was confronted by management when he attempted to take up his position on the appointed day, January 3.
He was instructed to return to his job on the transport section or his payment would cease.
In addition he was told that all levels of management and supervision had been instructed not to negotiate with him as deputy convenor.
Reports in some newspapers that Alan Thornett had "stood down" from his elected position were fabricated by the press.
A meeting of the TGWU stewards held soon after the elections had decided that the TGWU officials should be forced to intervene if British Leyland carried out their non-recognition threat.
In line with this policy, it was decided to recall the stewards meeting on February 1 if recognition had not by then been achieved.
Hill, London NW5 IHR.