[IMC-UK-Features] Feature proposal: Wildcat strikes

[opprobrium at riseup.net]

Hey!

It's a bit late now, but I've finally found enough time to knock together
a complete feature about the wildcat strikes (text version below):

https://we.riseup.net/nottsimc/wildcat-strikes-across-uk

It's possibly a little superficial, but I think this is an important
issue. It also currently needs an image. If people want to add to/improve
it then they should feel free.

Thanks,
Opprobrium

*****

Title: Victory for wildcat strikers
<p>Thousands of workers in the construction industry who walked out in
solidarity with workers at the Lindsey oil refinery run by Total in
Killingholme, Lincolnshire, have won a significant victory. Strikers at
Lindsey voted to accept a deal drawn up by union officials and the
companies involved in the dispute and end their unofficial industrial
action on Thursday 5th February.
</p>
<p>The wave of wildcat strikes was one of the largest waves of working
class militancy in decades with walkouts across the country. Among the
sites affected were Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria, the Heysham
nuclear power station in Lancashire, Staythorpe in Nottinghamshire, South
Hook LNG gas terminal in Milford and Langage Power Station near Plymouth
where Polish workers joined strikers.
</p>
<p><strong>Regional Feature:</strong> <a
href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2009/02/421581.html">Workers
walk out at Staythorpe</a>
</p>
<p><strong>Newswire:</strong> <a
href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/02/421258.htm">British jobs for
British workers - Green jobs for Green workers?</a> | <a
href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/02/421170.html">Oil and Power
strikes: News, Resouces and analysis</a> | <a
href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/02/421160.html">Wildcat strikes
in Newark</a> | <a
href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/02/420994.html">Today's wildcat
strikes in the UK oil and now nuke business</a> | <a
href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/02/420969.html">Wildcat strikes
- an open letter to the anarchist/anti-authoritarian movement</a> | <a
href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/420825.html">A 'Racist'
Strike?</a> | <a
href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/420721.html">BNP activists
agitating at wildcat strikes</a>
</p>
<p><strong>Links:</strong> <a
href="http://www.bearfacts.co.uk">ConstructionWorkerUk</a> | <a
href="http://www.amicustheunion.org/">Unite the Union</a> | <strong><a
href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/topics/workersmovements/">Indymedia
UK Workers Movements topic page</a></strong>
</p>

<p>The dispute flared up on January 28 after it emerged that an Italian
company contracted to work on the project would ship in its own employees
rather than using local labour. Walkouts by workers at the refinery
spawned a wave of solidarity strikes across the country.
</p>
<p>The government and media have been keen to present this as a
nationalist or even "racist" strike and the ever-opportunistic BNP made
efforts to capitalise on the struggle. Nevertheless, the reality is more
complex. Strikers argued that they were actively discriminated against by
subcontractors who refused to allow them to apply for work and, crucially,
the deal will not see any Italian workers losing their jobs. Strike
committee member Tony Ryan said: "It's been a hard week for the lads, this
week they've stood out in all weathers. It's been a hard-fought fight, and
I'm glad the lads are back at work, earning money again, and the Italian
lads are still here."
</p>
<p>All of these actions took place outside the trade union bureaucracy
(although Unite has been an influential player in the dispute) and were
completely illegal under the anti-trade union legislation. This does not
appear to have deterred strikers and so far there has been little
indication that anybody will face legal consequences for the walkouts.
</p>
<p>While workers have been victorious at Lindsey, similar arrangements are
in place at other sites. In Staythorpe near Newark in Nottinghamshire,
subcontractors at the site of a new power station have refused to employ
UK labour. Unemployed workers have been protesting there since November
and it was one of the facilities which saw solidarity walkouts. The
dispute there continues and on Saturday 7th January, a protest was held
outside the offices of Alstom who are running the project.</p>