Gerald Parry, a representative of members of the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) at the company, told the rally about the 10-month fight against the union-busting drive of Friction Dynamics owner Craig Smith. "We're not out for more money or better conditions, but to defend our right to our union," he said, listing Smith's drive to erode working conditions and cut pay by 15 percent.

In response to a brief walkout by workers last April in protest of his attacks, Smith locked out the union members. He then sacked all the workers on strike after letting enough time elapse to get out from under a clause in the national employment act. The bill states the workers cannot be sacked during the first eight weeks of a dispute.

Workers hired by Smith since the lockout report they too have faced pay reductions and poor working conditions, with accidents commonplace.

It was recently revealed that Smith's insurance on the factory no longer covers these workers, putting the company in serious breach of the law.

TGWU members involved in the fight are demanding the government change the legislation to prevent companies from sacking any worker during an industrial dispute.

In his speech to the rally, Gerald Parry said the Labour Party "was formed 100 years ago for many reasons; one of the reasons it wasn't formed was to defend the likes of people like Craig Smith." He added the union picket line "was not about money, but because he [Smith] was dismantling our union." Bill Morris, general secretary of the TGWU, also addressed the packed hall and expressed his support for the fight.

The union members and their families then led a 300-strong march to the Labour Party conference, where they sought to meet with Prime Minister Blair to discuss their situation.

On a recent trip to the picket line, cleaners from Lancaster Gate Cleaning company, who are themselves in dispute with their employer, interviewed the TGWU members on videotape. The cleaners plan to send the tape to Ecuador, where one of their ranks had been active in a trade union.

"Prior to visiting the picket line I thought trade unions only existed in Ecuador and other countries in Latin America," the cleaner said. "Now I realize there are trade unionists living and fighting in Britain and other countries in Europe."

Xerardo Arias is a member of the Young Socialists.  
 
 
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