Production drop speeds MDW drive

Workers Press no. 310, 24 November 1970 · scan page 2

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BRITISH car plants turned out 14,500 fewer cars in September than in the same month of 1969, according to figures issued today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The Society, which blames car-industry strikes for production decline, says Ford lost over 11,000 cars, while British-Leyland production was down by 6,000.

Chrysler (UK) and Vauxhall reported smaller losses, but total car production was down over 12 per cent.

This latest index of the motor employers' crisis underlines escalating pressure from leading car magnates' spokesmen for an all-out attack on their workers' struggle for better wages and conditions.

Lucas chairman Kevin Corley described the industry's strike situation as a 'national scandal' in his annual report to shareholders, which welcomes tesy exor-itant and slates wage demands.

He also warns of possible investment cuts in the Lucas group 'unless there is a rapid and drastic reduction in the of wage and cost inflaInflation-and its reflection in working-class struggles for higher wages—is at the centre of the car employers' problems.

According Observer's' Nora Beloff at the weekend, British-Leyland chief Lord Stokes 'is said. to have told the government that he must have substantial longterm credit if he is to streamline company (which would mean shutting down some plants and economizing on labour in others) and stand up to prolonged strikes'.

PIN HOPES

Though Leyland's publicrelations men deny that any such request has gone forward, management are clearly pinning their hopes for the ailing motor giant on the Cowley, Oxford, where management have so far tried in vain. to browbeat stewards into accepting MDW.

Proposals for MDW at the Cowley assembly plant are based on a flat rate of £37 a week for a 'full piecework effort; a 100-per-cent effort.

The company is offering a daily guarantee of earnings, with a 75-per-cent annual guarantee subject to a number of conditions. But no weekly guarantee is proposed.

The proposals relate not to the ADO 28 model, but to all pieceworkers in the tactory, on all lines and all models.

With British-Leyland shares at an all-time low of 5s ld, wiping more than £350 million off the company's 1969 market value, and with no profits in prospect for 1970, Stokes and Lowry are desperate to get the scheme through.