Aire Valley Yarns strikers EITH osce CWU the Second World War. Now it is Asian workers.
up and increasing workloads.
The end result of this process can be seen at Air Valley Yarns Ltd, a smal mill employing just over 30 JUDI situated in Coa Lane, Farsley, about half way between The strikers say that the company pay £1.02 an hour for a 60 hour week worked in 12 hour shifts. The day shift starts 7.15am ends 7.45pm with a half-hour break for lunch. Weekend working Stlll al basic rates, is compulsory.
There is no first-aid kit mill and injured workers have been told to make their own way to Carding machines, which cause quarter of the accidents in the textile industry, are not ning machines have no lootbrakes and operators have blistered their hands stopping the spindle. Heavy wool dust causes problems chest ailments are rife.
Earlier this year a • MirrorComment IT USED to be women who did all the lowest-paid jobs in the textile industry in Bradford. Then it was Ukrainians and other East European refugees after In an industry with only 50 percent unionisation, and with high unemployment, those still with jobs have been under tremendous pressure from speedgroup shop-floor workers decided to join the Textile Group of the Transport General Workers Union as a first step improving their working the shop steward, , Liaquat Ali, handed out the union cards. The following day he was summoned by director Derek Bedford and told to take back the cards from the members.
Bedford also offered to refund their dues Dismissed After Liaquat Ali had consulted members the offer was declined and on 14 March he was summarily dismissed. The day shift stopped WOrK IDEmediately were later joined by the night shift.
On 16 March they were all sacked and are now in official dispute The police have enthrough the picket les through the picket sately every morning and Mirror on Wednesday 20 Letters of protest should SelL Editor, Mirror, Holborn Circus, London ECIP 1DQ.
Peace prize evening and although one of the strikers was iniured by a car, no action has 0CCI Lakcl against the driver.
Liaquat Ali has received threatening phone calls ana nis car nas been vandalised since the began, Tebbit's law is being invoked in an attempt to prevent successful solidarity action. An associated company Aire Valley Atlantic Yarns, have taken legal action against the interference their contract with Charle Busfield & Co where workers were refusing to touch wool intended for Atlantic Yarns.
The 21 strikers are call ing for support from the movement and the black community. Proposals for a mass, picket are under consideration.
According to Peter Booth, national organise the TGWU Textil Group, the issue is as fundamenta Grunwicks and is a fight for the rights worker country.
• Messages of solidarity and donations to the strike Jund should be sent to Mr Ali, Dirkhill St, Bradford 7, West Yorks.
try it doesn't cater for