from Alan Rooney and Pote Smith
The front pago of tho first issue of A.E.I. Voice gives the story of the events which led up to the present struggle:
“The North's largest plant, the giant A.E.I. works, is now the scene of bitter labour struggle. Four men were sacked, 2 on May 7th, and the others on the following day. Why? oeeeThere seem to be 3 main points: (1) the general economic position of the company, whose profits are falling; (2) management aifficulties..the recent re-shuffling on the Board of Directors indicates such problems, Also the appointment of the new chairman of the A.E.I., Mr. Wheeler, seems to have indicated elements of a 'get-tough' policy towards the labour force. He has emphasised the need "to reduce costse"; (3) a firmer resistance to management pressures by leading unions in the plant."
The article gives a day by day account of what happened: "Thursday, May 7th, 2 stone dressers, J. Wright & G. Oliver...swho by the very nature of their work move around the factory without supervision, were found to be talkingseewith a planer, C. Renshaw and his machine assistant A. Earith. Mr, Renshaw was...working on his job....the length of which allowed him to sit down for periods...(in fact a stool is provided)" The Superidf#nt, instead of saying something whilst the conversation was in progress, followed the two dressers and asked them what hid been doing. Mr. Wright, who later said that he said the first thing that came into his head, stated that they were discussing union matters, It is important to note that the dressers are in a different union from Mr. Renshaw.
"To sum up this incident, it seems that 2 maintenance men...stopped to pass the time of day with a planer and his mate. On being briefly observed to be talking, one of them was accused of holding a trade union meeting on extremely shaky evidence. It might not be without significance that Mr. Renshaw had been previously warned..about his taking action as a shop steward on two occas= ions earlier in the year. On the same day, the 2 maintenance men were given their notice and escorted off the plant. After a visit to the wages department they were led out through the factory gates at 4.55 pem.. Jack Wright was clearly upset on receiving his 'reward' for 30 years service, Cliff Renshaw and Arthur Earith were told that their positions were being looked into....
“Friday, May 8th, first thing in the morning...Mr. Smith sent for Mr, Renshaw and told him that matters would not rest there. During the morning, Jock McKenzie, a works committee delegate for maintenance, raised the issue with his superintendent....Mr. McKenzie was told that "the position could not be reversed and there was an investigation going one Mr. McKenzie reported failure to agree. "There is a real case that the management seemed to be adopting the policy of "eack first - investigate later." ...."at 3.45, Mr. Renshaw and Mr, Earith were approached and an attempt was made to escort them off: the premises. Mr. Renshaw had the presence of mind to realise that he had an agreed right to see his convenor before he could be sacked" He did this and it was agreed he be allowed to work a week's notice. But the fact remains that all arrangements had been made to have the men out of the factory by 3.45.
Events after thatmoved quickly, when the men learnt that the management were not prepared to budge, they decided to strike (on Tuesday May 12th), the same day the Manchester D.C. of the ABU gave its full support to the strike, Next day the management sgnt its now famous telegram to 300 selected workers to the effect that if they not return to work they would be sacked, and on the Friday, 10,000 turned -up to a mass meeting and voted overwhelmingly to strike! the latest news (Tuesday 4.00 p.m.) from the strike committee is that 7,000 are out, and that both the management and the press are hardening their attitude, The management has now withdrawn the telegrams. (see page 10)