• Detailed discussions between Bedford's management and unions about the
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proposed link with Isuzu are going well and both sides are confident that an agreement will be reached soon — possibly even by the end of the month.
Representatives from Bedford have been meeting daily with the unions to discuss changes to working practices and pay structure.
Likely changes in working practices include the introduction of production teams and techniques pioneered in Japan and the United States, where General Motors has launched the NLTMMI highly automated production system.
Bedford believes it can persuade the unions to accept the rationalisation of job categories. There are currently over 100 job categories, and Bedford wants to reduce this to fewer than ten. The company also plans to transfer all hourly paid staff to salaried status.
Production at the Bedford plant is likely to centre around the Rascal and Midi ranges, which were both developed by Isuzu. The future of the CF van is "not clear".