[SUPPORT from within the town and the district…]
Socialist Organiser1983 1983-09-01Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 14 →
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SUPPORT from within the town and the district is growing for the dispute at GKN Pistons, Northampton, as it becomes clear that the strikers are solidly determined to win.
65 AUEW members came out on July 13 after management had responded to their demands for a wage rise with a proposal to cut their pay. The workers have had no increase for 2½ years.
An important initiative in support was a meeting for all trade unionists called by the AUEW No.3 branch to organise widespread rank and file support.
Around 50 people attended, including Trades Council officers, Labour Party activists, etc. We agreed to do a leaflet for distribution in as many workplaces as possible; to do weekly collections, social events, and visits to the picket line by different unions on different days, possibly leading up to a mass picket.
The meeting also expressed the view that blacking action is vital, especially at the Kings Lynn plant which takes most of the production from Northampton. Already a visit to Vauxhalls at Luton has brought the hope that workers there will try to organise blacking of all GKN products.
£1,000 has been collected so far for the strike fund, and morale is high. On August 19 the strikers voted unanimously to stay out indefinitely.
The GKN workers will inspire. the whole local labour movement if they win. Only the danger of regional union officials recommending a return to work for minimal concessions can turn a potential victory into a shabby compromise.
Messages and donations to: Bro. D.Langford, GKN Strike Committee, 109 Stanley Road, St James, Northampton:
Scan page 15
Socialist Organiser no.144 September 1 1983 Page 15