Ti COVENTRY WALLPAPER STRIKE by Audrey Wise (Cuventry USDAW seoretury)
We have a dozen mombers on strike now, all of whom havo since been sackcd, One other, a manager of another shop, returned to work reluctantly after 2 days on strike, when he too was threatened with immediate sacking, There is no danger whatever of any of the other 12 giving in.
The shop is picketed all day, overy day, from oponing time to closing time, with lcaflets being given out and posters carried. When oxtra forces are available the other two branches in the city centre arc also pickcted. This applics particularly to Saturdays, whon our mombors bring their husbands, other USDAW mombers help, and some factory workers do a turn. Picketing has beon maintained despite cold winds and pouring rain, Tir. Black's standing with his staff is so good that even former omployees (who have left to seck better conditions) are coming on the picket line.
Mr. Black's shop is being run by Area Managers and higher managerial staff, plus two non-union blacklogs. Tho pickcting is so offective that they have practically nothing to do, (perhaps 10% of normal trade. )
T.G.WU. members have co-oporated well on the question of doliveries, which have been seriously disrupted. The Covontry branch of NALGO has urged its 2,200 members not to trade at these shops. Tonight (6th April), the District Committce of the AM is considering a reer:.nendat ion from its sub-committoe that all ABU mombers be asked to support the strikers, The District Secretary (AW) is quoted in the local press as being confidont that the recommendation will be passed, and that the mattor will also be considered by the Confoderation of Shipbuilding and “=nginecring Unions in Coventry for joint action in addition. The Coventry District of the National Union of Motal Mechanics has circulated its members asking thom to give us full support,
At the request of the public, Protest Sheets were started and tho pickets accopted sisnatures from passors-by. Theoso signatures have now reached over 5,000,
We have written to the three Coventry M.P.s
Wallpaper Manufacturers Ltd. has a virtual monopoly in the produc= tion of wallpaper (Crown, Nander sons, ote. ) as well as producing paint, otc. It has subsidiaries in many for2ign countries, including South Africae In this country it has six divisions, one of which is the Retail Division. This owns 700 shops, which represent one-fifth of the rot:il outlets. Tho other four-fifths are almost completely dependent for thoir supplies on W.P.M. manufacturing divisions, The Monopolies Comm ission has stated that it would bo against the public interest for WPM's retail outicts to continue to increase.
Cur Coventry mombcrs are the first to be organised on the retail side, The Paper Yorkors! Union are in on the manufacturing side, and USDAW's Contral Office are seeking help from that Union.
Declarations of solidarity would bo very encouraging to our mombers, and can be sont to the firm, the press, and ourselves. The dispute has now entered its third week, having commenced on the 24th March. Ed. Notes Mrs Wise's adéress is 26, Grogory Avenue, Coventrye