UK: HENRY FORD 11 SPEAKS OF ATTITUDE TOWARDS STRIKING CAR WORKERS AFTER DOWNING STREET MEETING
Record ID:
208440
UK: HENRY FORD 11 SPEAKS OF ATTITUDE TOWARDS STRIKING CAR WORKERS AFTER DOWNING STREET MEETING
- Title: UK: HENRY FORD 11 SPEAKS OF ATTITUDE TOWARDS STRIKING CAR WORKERS AFTER DOWNING STREET MEETING
- Date: 15th March 1971
- Summary: 1. MV Ford and party arriving and entering 10 Downing Street. 0.08 2. MV Police and crowd shouting. 0.11 3. CU Henry Ford speaking 0.30 4. GV EXT Ford works Dagenham. 0.35 5. GV Ford cars parked outside works awaiting delivery (2 shots) 0.48 6. GV Gateway into section of plant, entrance deserted. 0.51 7. GV Closed gates with Ford sign on them. 0.56 8. SV People walking past "Parity Now" sign painted on wall. 1.02 9. CU PAN Strike notices on fence. 1.07 10. CU Placard for strikers' rally. 1.14 11. CU Sign "Pay" 1.17 12. SV PAN Man walks to works door. 1.20 13. GV Ford factory in Amsterdam (2 shots) 1.26 14. GV Crates stacked and CU sign "Ford Amsterdam" 1.33 15. SV Parked cars awaiting shipment (2 shots) 1.39 16. SV Sign in Dutch 1.44 17. GV EXT Ford plant. 1.47 18. CU Henry Ford speaking. 2.16 Transcript Seq. 3: Henry Ford: "I personally am not discouraged about the general economic situation in Britain. I think the future looks fine. I would have to say to you that we do have in Ford a very serious labour situation today. And I think before we make any future investments, we'd have to have a good look; and by a good look, I mean we'd have to look at what the future's like, we'd have to see whether there's a chance for labour peace, for continued production, for good quality products. Because, after all, from the export area, Britain, just as it is internally in the home market, is dependent on its customers. And its customers must be satisfied. Seq. 18: I have a great many friends here in Britain. I come here often I think the future is fine for Britain. I think it looks very good. I do think in Ford we have very serious problems, we have had them over a period of weeks. I don't know what the need of all this is going to be, but we must find some solution. And unless we find some solution, Ford is going to be very chary about its future investments." Initials VS/0.02 VS/0.22 PART TELERECORDING Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 30th March 1971 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON AND DAGENHAM, UK
- City:
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVAF0OTWQE9066S2SQ61YB6U0YN5
- Story Text: The seven-week strike at the British factories of the giant Ford Motor Company was discussed by the company chairman, Mr. Henry Ford 11, during a lunchtime meeting with British Prime Minister Edward Heath today (Monday).
The strike, which has paralysed Ford's 21 plants in Britain, has now spread to the continent, bringing work to a standstill at Fords of Amsterdam.
SYNOPSIS: Henry Ford, chairman of the giant Ford Company, went to Downing St. on Monday to see British Prime Minister Edward Heath about the seven-week Ford strike in Britain. Later he spoke about the situation.
The seven-week strike has paralysed Ford's twenty-one plants in Britain. The strikers are demanding parity with higher paid car workers in the Midlands. Prime Minister Heath tried to allay Mr. Ford's fears about future investment in Britain by outlining the Conservative Government's plans to legislate against labour troubles with the controversial Industrial Relations Bill, now completing its passage through Parliament.
The effects of the British strike have now spread abroad. Workers have been laid off at Ford's factory in Amsterdam because shortage of parts manufactured in Britain have brought the assembly liens to a standstill. In Britain alone, the strike has been costing Ford's about two-million pounds daily. No wonder Mr. Ford is anxious for a solution.
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