FRA GIRLS SHEK TUC PROBE from Mrs. Bland
After over 4 months struggle and on the advice of our union officials we have accepted the employers! terms of componation, but no jobs. We know we were right to fight against our dismissal from the firm for industrial misconduct; and it is because we know we are right that we will press for an inquiry into the conduct of our union officials in Leeds and into their handling of the dispute. ‘We were sold out to the employers and we are still branded as trouble-shooters, We are also going to ask the union to give us references to enable us to get other jobs, in the hope that they will cloar our names, Five of us worked for the firm for more than two years and three of these for more than five years. If we were really trouble shooters we would not have lasted so long.
From inquiries I have made I do not believe that the national executive of the union in London has been given a clear picture of the dispute, had it not been for’a local M.P. we would not even have got an inquiry by the Ministry of Labour into the wages being paid at the firm. The girls are all adamant about pressing for this inquiry. I am willing to speak at any union branch in Sheffield that invites mee Support for us is still pouring in and I understand that two M.P.s are to meet the union's general secretary in London and if no satisfaction is gained the facts will be reported to the TUC.
Mr. Vernon Thornes, secretary of the Sheffield Trades and Labour Council said on April 2nd (as reported in The Sheffield Star): "Already I have had a telephone inquiry from the TUC about this dispute and dozens of letters from local unions on the handling of the affair. We are not at all happy about the union's handling of this and it will be discussed at a meeting of our executive next week."
Besides myself, the othor girls involved are irs, Sylvia Thrall, aged 24, Brocco Bank; Miss Margarot Crossley, aged 21, Penistone Rd. 3 and her sister Wendy aged 163 Miss Sandra Hodkin, aged 18, of Halsall Avenue, Darnall; liiss Olive Bates, aged 17, Bowden ‘food Crescent, Darnells and 23-year-old Jean Knowles, of Long Henry Row, Parkhill. ld, Notos Mrs, Bland thanks all those who have sent messages of support, donations, etc. We hopo that the .same measure of support (and more) is forthcoming for the demand for a TUC probe. Anyone who is not familiar with tho details of this case will get them from Week No. 14.