Manchester Electricians - One Year On

Eleanor | 14.05.2004 11:51 | Social Struggles

On Wednesday 19th of May the DAF electricians will have been on strike for a year.
For the last 52 weeks they have continued their struggle against DAF electrics and the collusion of UNISON with their employer at the expense of their so called members! There will be a meeting at the Friends Meeting House 19th May at 7.30 in support of them.

Manchester Electricians - One year on

This struggle highlights not only how skilled workers are discriminated against for being politicised (their dismissal came about because four of the electricians formed a branch of the TGWU and insisted on their rights to direct employment) but how the poorly paid, unskilled workers drafted in to replace them are also exploited and put into danger.
This issue is one which the whole construction industry faces as casualisation and non-unionised work becomes increasing the norm and the favoured method of exploitation by employers.

The electricians moved from striking at No1 Piccadilly to the new Crown Court building where DAF electrics contract with the City Council continues. They picket from 7 to 12 every working day. Their strike fund from the TGWU/EPIU has been stopped and they have been surviving only on donations from the public at their picket. Their employment tribunal has been repeatedly delayed and put off in an attempt to wear them down but this will finally happening in three weeks and thus our visible support now is very important.

Please support them in this struggle which is indicative of how hard won worker's rights are being ignored and worn away in our brand new Neo-Labour Globalised paradise!

Thank you!