South Yorkshire Times, May 16th, 1970
G.E.C. Strikers To Return On Monday
Strikers at G.E.C’s domestic equipment factory yesterday (Thursday) overwhelmingly voted to return to work on Monday. This decision will end a six-day unofficial walk-out which has this week crippled the plant. The trouble broke out last Friday when 200 day-shift workers stopped work in a pay and productivity dispute, and almost every section of the factory was affected as the management were forced to lay off other employees.
Spread
By Tuesday the strike had spread to affect about 1,500 workers bringing the plant to a virtual standstill. Workers meeting outside the factory gates on Tuesday decided to continue the stoppage. They decided also to call a meeting for yesterday afternoon. The three unions involved, the Transport and General Workers, the Electrical, and the General and Municipal Workers’ Union then called for talks with their own officials in an effort to get official backing.
In a statement on Tuesday a management representative said: “Due to a dispute regarding a wage claim, certain sections in the factory including inspectors and storekeepers have withdrawn their labour.
He added: “The management have regrettably had to lay off other employees, including assembly workers. The total on strike is about 200 with a possibility of a further 1,150 having to be laid off apart from these workers.
No Change
“It is hoped that the strikers will return to work as normal as soon as possible so that negotiations in respect of the claim may be resumed.”
On Wednesday the management representatives said that there had been no change in the situation.
Following yesterday’s meeting of strikers in the works canteen, a representative for the employees said that the decision to return to work had been almost unanimous. He added that the employees were hopeful of getting some increase.
The management spokesman said “After the meeting of workers it was decided to return to work as normal on Monday next, so that negotiations can proceed on their wage claim.”