Bedford Luton on the brink
Page 6
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• General Motors appears to be on the brink of securing union backing for its joint venture with Isuzu at its troubled Bedford van plant in Luton.
As we went to press this week four of the five unions involved in the deal had approved company proposals including changes in working practices, leaving only the Transport & General Workers Union still undeclared.
Bedford, however, says that it has local TGWU approval for the deal and that only final approval is now needed from the union's national officers. The company says it is "hopeful" that a final agreement on the joint venture will be secured before the Luton plant shuts down for its annual summer break on 25 July. • Following the call from Transport & General Workers Union deputy general secretary Bill
Morris for a pilot scheme in the autumn to sign up members from the ranks of the temporary, part time and agency workers (CM 16-22 July), the commercial road transport group of the TGWU could be softening its opposition to agency drivers.
Last week the group's national committee decided to retain a policy of opposition to such drivers in the RTC group, but according to national secretary Jack Ashwell the committee hopes to determine exactly what kind of recruiting drive is being prepared by the union.