On Monday 14 February machinery workers at the Bromley, Aylestone Road factory, Leicester seized control of their factory.
This followed the complete break-down of Bentley management over the proposed closure of the factory, making 390 workersredundant.
The shop stewards committee and the workers were no longer prepared to be the sacrificial lambs to "Speed-Up' that their jobs were not redundant, but being transferred to a low wage, higher profit plant at Bookham, Surrey, the shop stewards decided to occupy the factory as the only way left open to defend the jobs.
The occupation is well organised with the shop stewards having set up a series of groups to deal with welfare and finance for the workers and their families. They have sent delegates to local union branches and labour meetings to explain their case and toappeal for support.
As a result union Leicester have support, the Trades Council has THERE ARE half as workers now as there were in th man early 1960s, and those who are left nave nac to take a cur in mone wages underthe terms of the Social But a resolution passed by London branch of the National union or malwaymen. now. colng textile backing, Wildt Mellor support'.
Engineering Group and "Profit'. Realising Such branches throughout pledged financial and local Occupation given its Leicester.
and the management committee of Leicester South Constituency Labour Party have passed a resolution in support of the occupation. Full-time officials of the unions involved have also circulated appeals for financial and other The workers also have support from a most important direction - their wives have set up a support committee which actively supports the occupation by raising funds and organising public meetings and rallies.
exemplary action 50OW consolidated with concrete demands which avoid any further run-down of the textile machine industry. Workers of Wildt Mellor Bromley have every right to demand full support from the labour movement for the nationalisation of the cure mousty, under workers without compensation to the owners.
* A rally in support of the occupation will be held on Saturday 26 February, 2pm, Victoria Park Gate, London Road, Leicester. * Messages of support and donations to: WMB Committee. 2 Granby RAILWAYS: needs to be and Road, that they areto stand.
demonstrating their The l Daturday, co reoruary: Wildt Mellor Bromley workers discuss next stage of their fight for jobs Although the date for the crucial Stechford, Birmingham by-election has not yet been set, four fascist candidates have already indicated The major fascist candidate is -HOR that of the National Front, who are • musc e calling a national demonstration in declining wages.
As usual their aim is to intimidate the local Asian community and to fool white workers into blaming their black brothers and sisters for declining health services and educaPEne Sarca MassiVe unemployment that has hit the West Midlands in the last three vears. and In the last local election in May, the National Front polled 11 per cent in Stechford - the highest the vote