APRIL 7th, Unipart's plant in Cowley, which at the moment has about 600 union members, mainly in the TGWU, will lose union recognition. The plant was once among the est organised of the Cowley car factories. Union organisation has been given up rather than taken away.
The management gave the unions six months notice. In that time they have been threatening and bullying workers into signing new of employment, that mean all their problems will be dealt with ›y a 'Forum', dominated by 'team encore and not through a trade union. This pressure has been successful and almost every worker has igned the new contract What have the trade unions done? Early last year the three senior stewards were sacked: the TGWU official argued against a strike This was followed by the sacking of three other shop Yes! I want to become a Socialist Outlook stewards for 'undermining' a In all this time the trade unions, led by the TGWU only issued three They have not organised a single meeting and have simply argued that they are going through proce dure' on union recognition. There has now been nearly a year without a membership The final stage of negotia place two weeks ago. Jack negotiator and newly elected TGWU deputy General Secretary led the talks, but got nowhere.
However, instead of meeting the membership, he has arranged to meet the com pany again on March 9th The unions have said that after this they will discuss with the membership. But in the meantime the workforce ford Plant the company also ave six months notice and union with no organised op position. Become a Socialist Outlook