Lucas Aerospace Plan: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 17:44, 3 April 2024

The Lucas Aerospace Plan was a proposal in 1976 by aerospace factory workers to redirect their efforts into producing medical, transport and green energy technology.

History

Background

Military Matters Lucas Aerospace was one of Europe's largest designers and manufacturers of aircraft systems and equipment in the early 1970s. It had over 18,000 workers on its payroll, spread over 15 factories throughout Britain. Nearly half of its income came from building things for the military, such as combat aircraft and missiles. The British government pushed the company to restructure by firing 20% of its workers in exchange for access to military markets with very high profit rates.

The workers soon found out about this, and combined with already low wages led to a great deal of anger. A strike in 1972 led to an increase in wages by 167% and several strategies work stoppages gave the workers a great deal of power. The workers then proposed a new plan after two years of debate among themselves, based on detailed information on the machinery and equipment that all Lucas sites had, as well as the type of skills that were in the company. The aim of the plan was to produce new things without losing jobs.

Key Points

Some of the key proposals of the plan include:

Introduction of democracy in factories and guaranteed employment for workers
Production of kidney dialysis of machines
Begin research and production of artificial limb control systems for amputees
Production of sight aids for the blind using the technology in aircraft radio systems
Development of the 'Hobcart' to give mobility to paralysed people
Produce an improved life support system for ambulances, a prototype was developed using a simple heat exchanger and pumping system
Development of heat pumps in houses to reduce energy consumption
Production of windmills to generate electricity without fossil fuels
Development of a 'flexible power pack' which could generate electricity renewably on a small scale, for use in poor countries
Creation of a light-weight vehicle with pneumatic tires that would travel on rails and roads if needed. The vehcile would be powered by a combination of an internal combustion engine and battery it would use 50% less fuel and reduce unhealthy pollution from the car. This system would be safer, more efficient and cheaper.
Production of undersea exploration technology
Production of robotic devices and remote control technology
Production of improved braking systems for vehicles

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-{{Infobox_item|title = Lucas Aerospace Plan|image = Lucas-Placard-No-to-arms-production.jpg|imagecaption = Protesters gather in support of the Lucas Plan.}}The '''Lucas Aerospace Plan''' was a proposal in 1976 by aerospace [[factory]] workers to redirect their efforts into producing medical and green energy [[technology]].
+The '''Lucas Aerospace Plan''' was a proposal in 1976 by aerospace [[factory]] workers to redirect their efforts into producing medical, transport and green energy [[technology]].
-story
+== History ==
-== nd ==
+=== Background ===
 Military Matters Lucas Aerospace was one of Europe's largest designers and manufacturers of aircraft systems and equipment in the early 1970s. It had over 18,000 workers on its payroll, spread over 15 [[Factory|factories]] throughout Britain. Nearly half of its income came from building things for the military, such as combat aircraft and missiles. The British government pushed the company to restructure by firing 20% of its workers in exchange for access to military markets with very high profit rates.
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 == Key Points ==
 Some of the key proposals of the plan include:
-* Introduction of [[Workers' Self-Management|democracy in factories]] and guaranteed employment for workers.
+* Introduction of [[Workers' Self-Management|democracy in factories]] and guaranteed employment for workers
 * Production of kidney dialysis of machines
 * Begin research and production of artificial limb control systems for amputees
-* Production of sight aids for the blind
+* Production of sight aids for the blind using the technology in aircraft radio systems
 * Development of the 'Hobcart' to give mobility to paralysed people
 * Produce an improved life support system for ambulances, a prototype was developed using a simple heat exchanger and pumping system
-Alternative Energy Techniques:
+* Development of heat pumps in houses to reduce energy consumption
-Due to the finite availability of fuels like coal and petrol, they
+* Production of windmills to generate electricity without fossil fuels
-proposed that Lucas concentrate on renewable sources of energy
+* Development of a 'flexible power pack' which could generate electricity renewably on a small scale, for use in poor countries
-generation and developing more efficient methods of energy conservation
+* Creation of a light-weight vehicle with pneumatic tires that would travel on rails and roads if needed. The vehcile would be powered by a combination of an internal combustion engine and battery it would use 50% less fuel and reduce unhealthy pollution from the car. This system would be safer, more efficient and cheaper.
-from fuel sources. Up to 60% of energy is lost with traditional forms of
+* Production of undersea exploration technology
-<nowiki> </nowiki>its use (car engines etc.). Moreover this would provide a real
+* Production of robotic devices and remote control technology
-alternative to nuclear power generation which was unsafe and damaging to
+* Production of improved braking systems for vehicles
-<nowiki> </nowiki>the environment.
+[[Category:AnarWiki]]
-- Development and production of heat pumps which were efficient in
-saving waste heat. Such heat pumps would be used in new housing schemes
-to provide a very cheap service.
-- Development and production of solar cells and fuel cells.
-- Development of windmills. Lucas's experience in aerodynamics would be invaluable.
-- Development of a flexible power pack, which could easily adjust to
-people's situations allowing for small scale electricity generation
-using basic raw materials. Such instruments would be invaluable in
-under-developed countries where electricity provision is very poor.
-Transportation:
-- The development of a road-rail public transportation vehicle which
-would be light-weight using pneumatic tyres on rails. Such a system
-would be cheaper, safer for use and more integrated. It would allow rail
-<nowiki> </nowiki>services to be provided in areas where they were being closed down,
-etc. The road-rail vehicle would be able to travel on rails mainly but
-also convert to road use when needed.
-- A combined internal combustion engine/battery powered car which could
-give up to 50% fuel savings while reducing toxic emission from cars.
-The Plan proposed various other ideas in the areas of braking
-systems, undersea exploration technology and remote control devices.
-The thrust of the Lucas Plan was radical from the beginning. It asked
-<nowiki> </nowiki>basic questions like what was the real use of Sting Ray missiles and
-high technology fighter aeroplanes to society. Their production gobbled
-up money resources and technical inventiveness, making those who owned
-the Companies richer and richer but society got nothing from them.
-Waste
-Basic needs in society are only filled inadequately, like for instance
-kidney dialysis machines, whose general shortage in society was then and
-<nowiki> </nowiki>still is a crying shame. Lucas, its workers argued, had the expertise
-to develop better, smaller and more mobile units which kidney sufferers
-were crying out for. Why shouldn't they do so?
-Worse still, under a system that produces high quantities of weapons
-and armaments, not only is money wasted but also much human technology
-and innovation is wasted or misused as well. Take the proposal by the
-Lucas workers that the sophisticated radar systems used in modern
-fighter planes be used in the development of an "alternative sight" aid
-for blind people. Such a thing is easily within human capabilities, but
-is not made or even developed as a priority now.[[Category:Libertarian Socialist Wiki]]
 [[Category:UK]]
 [[Category:Europe]]
 [[Category:Northern Europe]]
+[[Category:1976]]
+[[Category:1970s]]
+[[Category:20th Century]]
+[[Category:Workers' Self-Management]]
+[[Category:Green Syndicalism]]
+[[Category:Environmentalism]]
+[[Category:Syndicalism]]
+[[Category:Economics]]