Union ally turns on Japanese

JAPANESE companies yesterday came under fire from the union considered to be their closest ally in the British labour movement, writes Barrie Clement.

Jimmy Airlie, a senior official of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union, told motor industry shop stewards in Birmingham: 'We must not be fooled by elaborate presentations from management consultants on the benefits of the Japanese management system.

'Quality circles, team working and team leaders, friendly management and greater individual responsibility for production quality can all serve to reduce the relevance and effectiveness of the shop steward and to dilute the common bond between workers.'