The 40th anniversary of famous “Grunwick Strike” at Grunwick Film Processing Laboratories brought back memories of long and bitter dispute that lasted two years, from 1976 to 1978.
It was over dismissal of a worker allegedly being too slow but workers had many other grievances.
The strike was led by an unassuming house-wife, late Jayaben Desai, always clad in sari, thus it was dubbed as “Strikers in saris.”
At its height 20,000 people came out to support their fight, mainly docile Asian ladies.
When Postal Union refused to handle Grunwick mail, their main business outlet, it became national event involving “Arthur Scargill” who descended on the site with placard waving, noisy NUM members, giving strike saturated publicity.
Local papers revived this unique event by giving it publicity which would have gone unnoticed without their coverage.
A huge mural will be erected near factory site in Dollis Hill, fitting tribute for the sacrifice by workers that caught the imagination of the nation.
Everyone, especially local residents are encouraged to participate in choosing design which will become permanent monument for this unique dispute that has now become historical event.
Kumudini Valambia
By email
