The Plane Makers (TV Series)

"The Old Boy Network" (1963)

Patrick Magee: William Breen

Photos 

Quotes 

• Stan Wallace : Mr Breen, I've been honest with you. It was a chance in a million what Wainwright did, but I'm not saying he didn't deserve his cards.

  William Breen : What are you saying then?

  Stan Wallace : Well, it's not right. One bloke makes a mistake then gets fired. Another man makes a mistake, they cover up for him. That's not right. And when men come up to me and say the people I represent get the sack and the others, they don't - well it looks a bit ...

  William Breen : Look, Stan, will you stick to your own job. I mean, it's no business of yours what somebody else does.

  Stan Wallace : It hasn't changed, has it? Not really? Alright, you don't have the means test and that now, but the rest of it - that hasn't changed. The old school tie, the old boy network. No, none of that's changed. If a worker comes in late he gets his pay docked. But if one of the old boys comes in late, it doesn't matter. If he makes a mistake then the old boy network, they cover up for him. But if Ernie Wainwright - who's been here seventeen year - if he makes a mistake, then he gets the sack. The sack and no arguing. It hasn't changed.