Parometers sack strikers
Socialist Organiser1983 1983-07-14Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 14 →
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ELEVEN workers at Industrial Parometers, Birmingham, have been on strike since 22 June, over their annual wage claim.
Their 1982 contract expired in January, but the company has only been willing to offer 3% from June - with no back pay. The workers were not willing to accept this, especially as they were taken for a ride last year when the company introduced a bonus scheme as part of the pay settlement, and then proceeded to manipulate it as it suited them.
The 1983 "offer" of 3% also involves two redundancies, the permanent change of the expiry date to June.
Most of the workers have been at the company for over 20 years, and this is their first ever strike. Their loyalty has been systematically exploited by the bosses, who recently bought a £28,500 cabin cruiser and a £10,000 sports car for the managing director's son.
On Monday June 4, all the strikers were sacked, but this has only firmed up their determination. They are picketing the Lower Gooch Street factory every working day and plan to extend it to Saturdays as well. In addition, they are contacting all the company's customers (mainly pottery companies in the Stoke area, plus the Gas and Electricity Boards) to arrange blacking.
Messages/donations to: Industrial Parometers Strike Fund, c/o Eric MacDonald, TGWU House, 211 Broad St., Birmingham.