CRITCHLEY LABELS in South Wales was part of British Telecom until May 1993. The workers printed and produced literature in house.
Their union, the Communications Workers Ünion (CWU) was recognised and there were collective arreements. Bi's manace. ment and the company's new remain the case.
In summer 1994 30 per cent of staff left following voluntary redundancies, The company decided to derecognise the union. Following a ballot for industrial action the CWU and management reached an agreement on recogniThen the company unilaterally declared that 10 CWU members including branch officers were to be made redundant. There was no attempt to seck volunteers. Their cases are still pending industrial tribunals.
The CWU sought to negotiate that any would involve prior consultation with the union in line with exist ing agreements. When this was relected workers voted for overtime ban which began in OcIn December the CWU was given three weeks notice of derecognition, yet another breach of a written agreement. John Monks, TUC General Secretary, has described Critchley as "the worst example of industrial relations in Wales".
Union members voted to esca late industrial action in defence of their rights. All union members at Critchley went on strike on January 22 and January 29. Managers were bullying and threatening to dismiss tese who dia so.
On February 3 a one weck strike started. The next day workers received hand delivered letters saying they would be sacked unless they reported for work on 6 FebruAll 31 CWU members at the company, whether or not they had voted for strike action, decided that they would not be bullied and intimidated. They stood by their union and fought for the right to trade union membership and representation.
Harassed
Women at Critchley Labels have explained that sexual harassment has been a problem at the factory for some time, ranging from physical contact to managers leaking personal medical details.
The strikers would rather see the plant closed down than go back to a regime of intimidation under worse conditions. They have already made many sacrifices in detence of trade unton nights. some are single parents, others the only area of high unemployment.
On March 8 there was a demonstration in South Wales in defence of the Critchley Labels strikers. Now is the time to step up solidarity. Their fight is our fight.
Send messages of support and financial assistance to the Critchley Labels Fund, CWU, Greystoke House, London WS IAW. For more intormation and speakers contact Sue Hopkins, CWU Chair at Critchley Labels, on 01485 220587.
many of today's workers, but would press ging new catrants to guarantee old-age poverty to over 3