When I was a crankshaft macinist for British Leyland in the 1960 Jim Meehan was our setter. Fondly known as Big Jim he would change over our machines when a different model came onto the production line.

Big Jim could ofter be seen with his back to a machine. Like a bear he would use the machine as his tree to ease itching in his back.

I have fond memories of my time at BLMC where I learned how to negpotiate piece work prices for myself and later for my Section after I was elected Shop Steward.

Our immediate adversary was known as Jack the Rat A tough nut to crack who often said we would kill the Goose that laid the Golden Egg.

Happy days when it was clear who was them and who was us.

I still find it upsetting when I hear the uninitiated claiming that Idle workers destroyed our Car Industry. I would like them to have to put up with the graft that went into trying to earn a decent wage on machines that were well past their sell by date.