Organising the Unorganised: 'Race', Poor Work and Trade Unions
John Wrench and Satnam Virdee discuss the relationship between mostly South Asian women workers at Heathrow and Burnsall (Smethwick), their relationships with the TGWU and GMB trade unions, and the role of non-union groups such as the Indian Workers Association and London Support Group. They also discuss racism and reactions to it in British trade unions more generally.
The Burnsall strike: a glimpse of the future
Submitted by Steven. on Jun 13 2016 18:45
A short history of the year-long strike of mostly Asian women workers at Burnsall Ltd in Smethwick 1992-93.
Burnsall strike: with friends like these, who needs racists?
Subversion criticise the Burnsall strike support group for making the dispute into a racial issue as opposed to a class issue. The article is an example of 'anti-racism' and 'anti-nationalism' turning into a refusal to discuss racial divisions within the working class at all, which we strongly disagree with but reproduce for reference. See our archive on the Burnsall strike.
Burnsall strike 1992 - European Counter Network
Submitted by Spassmaschine on Aug 13 2009 11:43
Report on a 1992 strike at a metal finishing company following a worker suffering miscarriage, after management refused her light duties.
