In May 1984 it was proposed to make half the workforce redundant at Cammel Laird’s shipyard on Merseyside, calling into question the future viability of the yard.
In response to compulsory redundancies the workers occupied the yard with 70 still in occupation in September. Writs were secured in the High Court ordering 43 named workers to leave. The 70 had barricaded themselves on a destroyer and an unfinished gas rig and called on trade union members in the North West region to help them.
37 of the workers were sacked and then jailed – in their absence – for contempt of court after they defied court orders to leave the rig.
In 1984, the Tory Government was in full cry, hunting down trade unions and their members – what is the truth behind the jailing of these men?
Sign the e-petition calling for full disclosure of government papers on this issue, click on the link here.
Read Tribune article here.
