Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/332/5616
From The Socialist newspaper, 31 January 2004
Land Rover strike:
"It's Not Just Pay"
LAND ROVER workers were on official strike on 26 January, the first for 15 years. There were pickets of between 100 and 200 at the main entrances and within five minutes two deliveries were turned back.
Joe Foster Birmingham
One picket told me that most deliveries and contractors have respected the picket. But some management gave the excuse that they had to go in to attend a meeting!
Another picket said: "We were promised parity with Jaguar years ago. After all, we are making a bigger profit of £92 million".
Posters at the gate said: "It's not just pay". And a striker explained: "For years we have given up pay and conditions to 'flexibility' and now they want more 'flexibility' to meet their 'business needs".
In addition there is the possible loss of the Freelander Model and 2,000 jobs! Workers feel that they have probably given up too much on working conditions.
This strike follows four successful Saturday pickets at Solihull to persuade contractors not to work. This was in support of the overtime ban and ban on flexible working.
Workers are demanding parity with Jaguar Castle Bromwich and Brown's Lane Coventry.
The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) have reported a 1.2% decline in Rover registrations in 2002, from 72,287 to 71,386.
Comparing December 2003 with December 2002, they were down 2.7%. Whilst overall sales in Western Europe fell 1.3 %.
The ACEA are positive about the next year but who can believe the figures? UK sales were reported to be up then rapidly adjusted down because of a miscalculation.
It's time workers inspected the books to see what the bosses have done with the profits of our sweated labour.
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In The Socialist 31 January 2004:
Where Are Iraq's Weapons Of Mass Destruction?
Battered Blair Clings On For Now
Top-Up Fees - The Fight Goes On
International socialist news and analysis
Workers Speak Out at World Social Forum
French Government's Divisive Ban On Headscarves
Socialist Party news and analysis
Socialist Party And The Respect Convention
Hackney Workers Fight 'Single Status'
Scotland: Nursery Nurses To Ballot For All-Out Action
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