A crisp clear morning and the same approach to ‘advice’ given to my errant directors for giving poor examples to the team but a warmer end to the day in the 60degC’s all as the government disputes with miners and telephone engineers gather pace overshadows sinister developments concerning cruise nuclear missiles
Early to the office on a crisp clear morning and first to visit the ‘Porta-Kabins’ to ensure the heating was on and to check with Derek Weatherby about progress on the accounts. Then to clear the mail and help June complete the personnel report before chairing a Quality meeting that successfully plotted a course further for the progress of the company’s quality plan. After a round-robin session to follow up the queries raised, a quick sandwich and then into the main business of the day – rounding up all of the papers for circulation this evening.
Come 3.00pm much annoyance that Derek W. and his two senior accountants were not back from lunch after another of his winey sessions and harsh words from me on his return at 3.30pm. He is so dedicated in many of his actions for the company but spoils it by such behaviour which I cannot tolerate because of the company dynamic, as he well knows. Eventually in late afternoon to complete the best set of board papers yet and in late discussion with all the Directors much good accord on recent achievements. Last thing a close and frank discussion with Ian, the best for a long time on his problems with Colin and the organisation of the engineering team.
Tonight a relatively early evening to read and to bed at 10.00pm. The day has been cold early and late but the midday sun was enjoyed by many with temperatures in the 60’s.
News today of a famous victory by the telephone Engineers Union at British Telecom over the management of Mercury in the legal test of the new provisions of the 1982 Employment Act. The courts rule that the efforts of the Union were in the course of a lawful trades dispute. The miners are fighting again by way of overtime ban next week to avoid pit closures. The concern over contraceptive pills grows with advice for women to use the lower strength pills.
The row over cruise missile deployment in Europe has moved to Germany with public protests by the Green Peace movement. There is now less than 10 weeks to go before deployment and Thatcher has agreed with Mitterrand (President of France) today that if the general talks on disarmament fail that Europe should deploy. Such is the problems of the world and for all my company’s struggles I note tonight that group profit for the first three months is £120K against a budgeted £30K loss.