Anger at Rover workers' meeting

By Nicola McGann
BBC News

The grey skies in Birmingham matched the mood of the thousands of MG Rover workers who met at the Longbridge plant to hear plans to save the company.

It went into administration on Friday after a possible rescue deal with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) fell through.

Thousands of workers attended the meeting

On Monday, more than 4,000 workers trooped through 'E' gate to attend an outdoor meeting headed by Tony Woodley, general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) .

It had been due to start at 0900 BST but eventually got underway at 1000 BST.

Less than half an hour later, the workers began filing out. Some had left even earlier and the anger was clear on their faces - they had not liked what they had heard.

Administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said most of MG Rover's workers have been asked to go home on full pay.

Anger and frustration was the overwhelming emotion but few people were willing to make a comment saying they had been told not to say anything which would jeopardise current talks over the company's future.

From a personal point of view, it's better to know the situation. Last week there was a feeling that something was going on but we didn't know what. Now we do Laurence Millinship, MG Rover worker

Some of the workers, many of whom have been with the company all of their working lives, were clear where the blame lay - with the current management team. Others felt the government and unions could and should have done more to help.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: "I have three kids so it's a worrying time really.

"I blame Towers (John Towers) and his mates and feel the union should have been keeping an eye on them - they have mismanaged the company.

"The unions are our voice. They must have know this was coming, why hasn't anything been done about this sooner?"

Despite this, some workers remained optimistic about the future.

'Public support'

Laurence Millinship, who has worked for Rover for 40 years, said: "We are turning up for work and hopefully we will get some sort of response from the Shanghai people this week.

"The unions have been very supportive. From a personal point of view, it's better to know the situation. Last week there was a feeling that something was going on but we didn't know what. Now we do."

And he was clear where he pointed the finger of blame: "I blame BMW entirely and nothing anyone says will convince me otherwise."

Another worker, who also asked not to be named, added: "We are all stakeholders in this company and I feel passionate about the cars we build. We won through five years ago and we can win through again with the support of the government and local councils.

"We need the public to stand behind us like they did five years ago and help support and assist us to get this company back on its legs again."