Wildcat in Falkirk
Aug 9 2008 11:21
Seems to be the week for it:
Quote:
FIVE hundred workers at a Camelon firm have staged a walkout.
The unofficial action at Alexander Dennis is a response to talks surrounding absence levels at the coachbuilders.The workers walked out at the Glasgow Road site today, reportedly against the wishes of their union representatives.
Bill Simpson, the company's corporate affairs director, said: "It's an unofficial walkout which comes in the midst of discussions over levels of absenteeism in our Falkirk factory.
"From a management point of view, the absence levels have been totally unacceptable.
"We have worked hard to resuscitate this business in the last four years and we are going to do all we can to protect our business and our customers.
"We expect the workers back on Monday and talks will continue."
Pat Raffery, Unite senor organiser, said he would be attending an emergency meeting with the employers later today.
http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/500-workers-walk-out-at.4372254.jp
Aug 11 2008 10:13
#2
late - that pretty much describes every mainstream media report about every strike ever 
Aug 11 2008 10:23
#3
true,
press officers write most of the content of newpapers rather than the journalists who put their name to the story, but why doesn't the Union send a press release as well, although perhaps it was ignored.
Aug 11 2008 11:25
#4
late - the unions by law have to condemn all wildcat strikes - it's very likely they were a part of the talks about absence which prompted the wildcat too.
Aug 11 2008 11:32
#5
late wrote:
:)true,
press officers write most of the content of newpapers rather than the journalists who put their name to the story, but why doesn't the Union send a press release as well, although perhaps it was ignored.
This is it. Quite often unions don't send out proper press releases and you have to chase them up for it. If you're involved in a dispute you should always give the local papers a call from the picket line and offer to speak in a personal capacity. Journalists prefer original content, just sometimes we aren't arsed.
Aug 11 2008 12:58
#6
it would be impossible for you to not use press releases anyway because of your deadlines and the way that newspapers are organised
Aug 11 2008 14:36
#7
Not entirely true. All the main stories I write would be originally sourced, front page, inside page, page 3 and 5 at least (all reserved for my work ) would be stories sourced from people affected by something with a reply from the revelant authority or some local representative. All the other less important stuff is press releases though, which is why its important for anarchist groups and militant workers to get in touch with the media if they want to get a hearing. Not that I have illusions in the media actually portraying striking workers well, more that if you are already on the phone a journalist is more likely to just run with your version of events.
*oh yeh, i work in a weekly though, so i'm not actually disagreeing*
Aug 13 2008 22:41
#8
One in London too: http://libcom.org/news/wildcat-strike-haringey-council-13082008
Completely biased report with no mention of why there has been absenteeism and no research into whether they have actually increased or not. Lazy reporting, probably a summary of a press release they have received from the management.