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Fortress Wapping
The Wapping dispute was a lengthy failed strike by print workers in London in 1986. Print unions tried to block distribution of ''The Sunday Times'', along with other newspapers in Rupert Murdoch's News International group, after production was shifted to a new plant in Wapping in January 1986. At the new facility, modern computer facilities allowed journalists to input copy directly, rather than involving print union workers who used older " hot-metal" Linotype printing methods. All of the workers were dismissed. The failure of the strike was devastating for the print union workers, and it led both to a general decline in trade union influence in the UK, and to a widespread adoption of modern newspaper publishing practices. Political significance Along with the miners' strike of 1984–85, the Wapping dispute was a significant defeat in the history of the British trade union movement. The 51-week miners' strike of 1984–85 was followed a year later by the 54-week "Wapping ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tony Dubbins
Tony Dubbins was a prominent British trade unionist until his retirement from Unite in 2008. He first became a full-time union official in the National Graphical Association and became general secretary in 1984, leading the union through the Wapping dispute. The NGA merged with the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades in 1990. Dubbins won the subsequent election against Brenda Dean, SOGAT's General Secretary, to become the first, and only, general secretary of the Graphical, Paper and Media Union. Following the GPMU's merger with Amicus in 2004, he became Deputy General Secretary. Amicus then merged with the Transport & General Workers Union in May 2007 to form Unite. He was president of the Trades Union Congress in 1997. Between 2003 and 2008 he was chairman of the Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation. During this period he delivered the groundbreaking Warwick Agreement, ensuring every employee was entitled to 20 days paid holiday and maternity leave was i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
