the intent of what you mean to say is not quite clear.
Indeed if you take a look at the productivity figures, and that DOES count,
the productivity of that plant is among the lowest available, the fact that
this plant survived AT all is due to the fact that it was amongst the newest
and it was one of the core plants on that it produced Austin vehicles. Had
the menagement gonbe to the expense of getting skilled force form plants
they did close, i.e. Triumph, MG etc, they would have staerted off with a
higher productivity. Its the same mess as with the "new " factory that
produced TR7's and killed Triumoh in the end (not to mention BL, not to
mention some of Britains economy)
To adress whatever moral thoughts in BMW's management surely wont work. I
think this kind of attitude is exactly what will turn most germans into
supporting exactly the opposite of what you want to acheive. And that is
with most of the BMW board at the moment being alreadyt contra British.
(No flames and insults intended)
Gernot
> ----------
> From: ArthurK101@aol.com[SMTP:ArthurK101@aol.com]
> Reply To: ArthurK101@aol.com
> Sent: Sunday, November 29, 1998 2:19 AM
> To: kstewart@wwdc.com; triumphs@autox.team.net; spitfires@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Shrinking Rovers-From todays Telegraph
>
>
> My $.02. I hope the folks at BMW haven't forgotten the late '40s when the
> UK
> (which was economically on the ropes) and the US rebuilt Germany instead
> of
> making it into parking lot. And what about all those allied airmen who
> flew
> the Berlin airlift for over a year - many of them veterans of bombing
> raids
> over an "enemy" land? Plus a success would be good for the European Union
> and
> the world econmy. Or does the almighty "buck" in a few pockets only count
> now?
>
> In a message dated 98-11-28 17:53:48 EST, kstewart@wwdc.com writes:
>
> > > ROVER yesterday reached agreement with unions for a cost-cutting
> package
> > to
> > > save the Longbridge plant and introduce German-style work practices
> > > throughout the volume car group.
> > >
> > > Job cuts of at least 2,500 form part of an agreement that would also
> lead
> > > to the disappearance of bonus and overtime payments and open the way
> for
> > > talks with the Government about providing about £200 million in state
> aid
> > > towards the development of a new Mini and a replacement for the
> 200-400
> > > range.
> > >
> > > The deal was conditional on approval by the 38,500 workforce and the
> > board
> > > of BMW, the Rover parent, although union leaders and management were
> > > confident it would clear the final hurdles.
> > >
> > > Shop stewards at the Rover plants led the way yesterday, backing the
> > plan,
> > > after discussion with national officials who flew back from Munich
> after
> > > reaching agreement on the outline of a deal with Bernd
> Pischetsrieder,
> > the
> > > BMW chairman. Workers will start voting on the deal next week.
> > >
> > > Tony Woodley, the Transport and General Workers Union motor industry
> > > negotiator, said: "We believe this is a good deal for the company and
> a
> > > good deal for the workers."
> > >
> > > BMW has made investment of £1.75 billion at Longbridge conditional on
> the
> > > support but unions have pressed the German group for a declaration
> that
> > it
> > > remained fully committed to backing Rover and investing in Britain.
> > >
> > > Peter Mandelson, the Trade and Industry Secretary, provided further
> signs
> > > that the Government was ready to provide financial help. "I am
> absolutely
> > > delighted with this breakthrough," he said. "It is what the
> Government
> > has
> > > been working for since the beginning. Of course, the company is not
> out
> > of
> > > the woods yet but the basis is there now to create a strong,
> successful
> > > company."
> > >
> > > Union officials were braced for opposition to some of the changes,
> > > including plans for Saturday working and a system of "banking" hours
> > > whereby overtime is unpaid during busy periods and time off taken
> during
> > > slack periods.
> > >
> > > One production worker said: "They have us over a barrel. We have to
> > accept
> > > the deal or else we will lose our jobs."
> >
>
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