Alan Low at centre of union storm
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by John Darker
MR Philip Morris, secretary of the Transport and General workers' Union's 5/528 car transporter section, said last week that he intends to make an official complaint against Mr Alan Law and ask the local district committee to conduct an investigation.
The 21 members employed by Autocar and Transporters Ltd, of Wythall, Birmingham learned last week that their claimed unfair dismissal had been rejected by the Birmingham Industrial Tribunal. In the middle of the two-day hearing, a deputation from the drivers concerned lobbied Transport House, in Birmingham, and urged Mr Law to attend the Tribunal to give evidence in support of the Autocar and Transporters' employees. On his refusal to do so it is alleged that a "rough house" ensued, and Alan Law was involved in a fracas. Mr Law is understood to have offered to give evidence at the Tribunal if the car transporter employees would again accept his leadership.
The dispute hinges on the terms of a redundancy agreement negotiated with the firm by Mr Law. The 21 men lost their jobs because they refused to accept alternative jobs vacated by redundant men. The dissident car transporter men claim not to have been aware of the terms of the agreement negotiated on their behalf by Alan Law — an extraordinary claim more akin to the world of diplomacy than to open work-place discussions.
The Industrial Tribunal confirmed that the company's action was not unfair having regard to the terms of the signed agreement with the TGWU.
Mr Morris says that if the district committee does not enquire satisfactorily into the dispute he will take the matter to Mr Harry Urwin — a former Midland area secretary — or to general secretary, Mr Jack Jones. Said Mr Morris: "Alan Law has been a good union man in his time but he has got too powerful. He now seems to act like a little dictator. I believe he should be expelled from the union".
If the strong feelings expressed by Mr Morris reflect the general views of the car transporter branch the TGWU Midland secretary, Mr Brian Mather. has a knotty "little loca difficulty" to resolve, at best Alan Law could not easily Ix sacked from the union he ha! done so much to strengther in the Midlands, and an.! serious move to depose hin would almost certainly hay, national repercussions in du TGWU, since Alan Law i such a venerated militant.