Remploy
workers have taken their second day of strike action across Britain to oppose
the imminent closure of 27 Remploy factories. Trade unions including Britain's
General Union (GMB) and Unite The Union were forced to respond to members call
for opposition as longer term plans to close all 54 Remploy factories will see
the loss 2,800 jobs. These factories offer employment for people with varying
degrees of disability who would otherwise struggle to find work. Adding the
finishing parts to engines and packaging products are some of the tasks
undertaken by employees.
FRFI supporter Dominic Mulgrew joined the picket line in Netherton
Industrial Estate, Motherwell, and spoke to workers about their ongoing
struggle.
The shop steward for the factory, James, pointed out that while
these cuts are particularly devastating they were nothing new. With voluntary
redundancy schemes implemented in 2008 and 2011 the factory has already lost
over half its workforce. The adoption of compulsory redundancy with the closure
of these factories was the culmination of what had already been taking place.
As one of the workers stated 'the Tories are finishing what Labour started...'.
His workmate backed this up saying that 'one party are as bad as the other'.
Employed at the factory for the last eighteen years, James, was
particularly concerned for the future of 'the young disabled workers' whose
chances of finding employment would be set back by the closures. Another worker
spoke of how he had worked in the factory, for the last 31 years, almost since
leaving school, and about how much the job had meant to him throughout his
life.
Despite a significantly lower number of workers on the picket line
compared to the previous week’s strike, those who remained, stood tall with
their heads held high and were in good spirits. With hoots of encouragement
from passing cars and lorries and support from the community the workers were
determined not return back to the factory. A local shopkeeper, Nawaz Asuam,
visited the picket describing how he had collected over 2,000 signatures in
support of their cause; 'Remploy is good for the community...there are enough
people out of work around here...this is peoples lives were talking about'.
Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! sends its full solidarity to the
Remploy workers and urges readers to heed the words of James and the other
strikers on the picket line; 'people must support every disabled employee
because the cuts are going to affect everyone'.
With more than 80% of the cuts still to come the working class
people who today turn their cheeks to the struggle of the sick and disabled,
seen as a 'soft target', must understand the need to stand together and
fightback as one. Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! alongside the Black
Triangle and Accord campaign are organising pickets of the Atos centre on
Glasgow's Cadogan Street on the last Friday of every month. The governments
abuse of the sick and disabled is widespread and so we must combat it in every
corner - whether it is standing on the picket lines with Remploy workers or
outside Atos buildings in solidarity with disability benefit claimants.
Victory to the Remploy workers!
Picket Atos!
The next picket of Atos will take place on the 31 August,
2-4pm, Corunna House, Cadogan St, Glasgow. Plans for more Anti-Atos work in
Glasgow are currently being put in place and a facebook page has been set up
'Glasgow Against-Atos'. To get involved contact 07734348065 or send a facebook
message.
