Police crash Scotts picket
Socialist Organiser1981 1981-12-03Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 15 →
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LAURENCE Scotts workers have been picketing Mining Supplies in Doncaster for two weeks now. But last Thursday two police vans crashed the line with three vital British Oxygen wagons.
In the 30th week of the fight for jobs, the workers hit back where it hurts most, and are picketing Mining Supplies (the main firm of Scotts boss Arthur Snipe) in order to stop the movement of all Snipe's goods and so force him back to the negotiating table.
The pickets have been pretty effective. About 100 Laurence Scotts and unemployed workers turned back many lorries and crucial supplies. The major scab firm is Armitage: they must be blacked nationwide.
By Thursday 26th, things were obviously getting difficult for Snipe. The night shift had not worked for two days and were under threat of lay-off. No oxygen had been delivered for over a week.
At 8pm on Thursday, at a time when the picket line was not strong, three lorry loads of oxygen from the British Oxygen Company turned up, accompanied by two vanloads of police.
The drivers, all T&G members (one even claimed to be a steward) refused to listen to the pickets and, with the help of the police, crashed the picket line.
Immediately afterwards, the police attempted unsuccessfully to implement the six pickets per gate rule, and became irate when one of the pickets swore - because I don't like ladies swearing'! Later, one of the pickets was arrested for swearing and charged with breach of the peace.
Injunction
This police strike-breaking follows close on the heels of a court injunction being served on six of the strike leaders. The injunction instructs them (under the Empl oyment Act) not to picket any of Snipe's premises.
The issues at stake are now much bigger than just the immediate dispute. It is a test case for the new Tory laws against effective picketing. The workers are prepared to ignore the injunction against secondary picketing, but there are less than 300 of them picketing two large plants.
Mining Supplies in Doncaster has seven entrances for 24 hours a day.
Picket
they can pick off pickets one by one, with arrests.
Laurence Scotts have appealed to all trade unionists to support the picket line at Doncaster. Accommodation has been provided by the local miners' lodges. For details, ring the strike headquarters, 061 231 4434.
Money is also desperately needed to maintain the picket at Doncaster. Send all donations to Laurence Scotts shop stewards committee, c/o" G.Fryer, . 20 Roundcroft, Romiley Cheshire.