told us we're not to go in on 14 May!' That Was The fighting message Ronnie Stretch, shop steward of the striking Klein browners workers. cave to a meeting of the Confederation Shipbuilding and SROD stewards in Salford Ull April.
workers Klein Brothers, small, family manufacturer weeks because their refused to their Lor Thors LIC Nanona untor and Garment Workers.
employees, the maiority of them women. joined the union during over canteen laculues, and wack manage'You're discussing with your members whether to come out on 14 May — we've gone one better; our bosses have ment started laying off two workers a week shortly after, 52 of them agreed to strike.
Management responded dismissal notices unprovoked behaviour'!
The women have learned quicklv TOTE une strike. one of them put it: "Some say we've been sult. wullici aren't soft, they're just beaten down. Once they turn, they really turn!' ancy are •archary angry at the treatment they've the Kaymond Klein. 'He was th naster right, dirt', was how Ann it. She is close to retirement but has been on the picket line throughout the cold weather and is determined to carry on Lae cal Canteen facilities are so poor that one young Jackie, has to go to the chip D1f - for the whole factory! And young Raymond had to have his chips first!
Lunch at the canteen consisted of tea and toast, with soup in the evening. And woe betide anyone who arrived lalt = ine pots coffee were quickly drunk and no more were made.
First-aid a ne Toler facilities were also inadequate; there were just six toilets for worker. ano these were in bad condition anechofacilities were unheard often • of.
women are determined to win recognition despite the hardships involved will being out on strike: we can hold out financially in the home, , we can win it', ex plained Va The strikers have set up a strike committee and have sent speakers many in the area Mass pickets have been held every week and these being stepped up Raymond Klein has threatened to bring the police if the picket line isn't and order v and attitude police who have turned up has changed benevolen patronising threatening that one day the pickets will police they LUIC deserve, like in America!
Steps have been taken to boycott the company's mens wear products which are marketed the trade name 'Bendyk' (and sold at SLUIC LILLICWOOOS Woolco, Conn Collier and Hepworth), and this has forced Klein Brothers to resort to home-workers in an attempt to boost sales But the workers are determinea to suck it our wnateve the management do because frightened dog will bark, bul when you bark Dack...
Messages of support and donations should be sent c/o Road, Manchester M20 9NB.
Val Kose Jackie, Margaret Jean Hilda, Ann 'cloth-ear: Chris. Ronnie. Beattie. Bervl Brenda, and Sandra.) A social in aid of the workers at Klein Brothers is bein held on May 7.30-11.00pm the Dockers Club, Salford.
Socialist Challenge 1 May 1980 Page 13
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