Available online
Description
In 1976 a worker participation scheme was being introduced in the government-owned shipyard of Harland and Wolff. The programme examines some of the hopes for this scheme as well as the anticipated... problems. The existence of thirteen-autonomous unions in the shipyard posed immediate difficulties but a greater inter-union co-operation has already been established. The overwhelming problem is the uncertain and gloomy future of the shipbuilding industry. Some reduction in the 10,000 workforce seems inevitable and this may put the worker participation scheme in jeopardy if workers are to be involved in the decision-making processes of the company. What will their role be when it comes to questions of possible large scale redundancies? The programme was filmed in Belfast and contains interviews with trade union representatives, management and shop floor workers, as well as film of meetings which are pare of the structure of participation.
In 1976 a worker participation scheme was being introduced in the government-owned shipyard of Harland and Wolff. The programme examines some of the hopes for this scheme as well as the anticipated... problems. The existence of thirteen-autonomous unions in the shipyard posed immediate difficulties but a greater inter-union co-operation has already been established. The overwhelming problem is the uncertain and gloomy future of the shipbuilding industry. Some reduction in the 10,000 workforce seems inevitable and this may put the worker participation scheme in jeopardy if workers are to be involved in the decision-making processes of the company. What will their role be when it comes to questions of possible large scale redundancies? The programme was filmed in Belfast and contains interviews with trade union representatives, management and shop floor workers, as well as film of meetings which are pare of the structure of participation.
| Module code and title: | P881, Industrial relations |
|---|---|
| Item code: | P881; 09 |
| First transmission date: | 12-09-1976 |
| Published: | 1976 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:00 |
| Note: | Also used for PT281 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Clare Falkner |
| Presenter: | Ed Rhodes |
| Contributors: | Colin Lowry; Terry Carlin; Sandy Scott; David Tinkler; Bert Jinks; Alfred McDermott; Ted Willis; Andy Holmes; Jimmy McAteer; Harry Moore; Edward Cabrey; Alan McClelland |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Harland and Wolff |
| Footage description: | Shots of Harland and Wolff shipyards as a brief history of the company is given, including the new worker participation scheme. A number of workers, union representatives and managers express their overall view of the plan. The difficulties of having 13 unions in the shipyard are touched on. Shots of the Chairman and Secretaries meeting in progress. The effects of participation on smaller scale productivity committees are outlined. Shots of one such committee. Further comments are made from both management and workers on various implications of the scheme. The issue of worker directors is discussed in detail, with views for and against. More shots from the Chairman and Secretaries meeting. Its role and that of the worker directors and normal union channels are further discussed. The still to be decided nature of the whole structure is emphasised. |
| Master spool number: | OU2337 |
| Production number: | 00525_2259 |
| Videofinder number: | 1282 |
| Available to public: | no |
