Brent's Journey to Justice - Willesden Green Library

Tickets still left for Grunwick Strike play April 19th at CNWL

We Are The Lions, Mr. Manager!’ is the remarkable story of Jayaben Desai the inspirational leader of the 1976-78 Grunwick Strike that took place in Brent.

She brought the issue of workplace exploitation and racism to the fore and challenged the perception of Asian women being inherently passive and docile. She not only stood up for workers’ rights and against oppression with selfless dedication, but with her steadfast resolve, she turned the dispute into a national movement for human rights and dignity inspiring future generations.

4 stars ‘A powerful story, powerfully told’ – Clare Brennan. The Observer.

There are still a few tickets left. Don't miss it! BOOK HERE

Grunwick performance at CNWL April 19th - 'We are the Lions, Mr Manager'

           "Powerful story, powerfully told" 🌟🌟🌟🌟 ️️(The Observer)

There will be a performance of "We are the lions, Mr Manager", the critically acclaimed Townsend Productions play about the Grunwick strike, on Thurs 19 April at the College of North West London in Willesden.

If you want to be sure of a place please book your ticket asap as it will probably sell out

https://lineupnow.com/event/we-are-the-lions-mr-manager-4

Before the play begins there will be a guided viewing of the murals - meet at 6.30pm at Dollis Hill station (Chapter Road exit).

There are other tour dates here 

http://www.townsendproductions.org.uk

Grunwick40 unveil extraordinary murals marking the historic Grunwick strike

Two Grunwick40 murals were unveiled today. The first (above) outside Dollis Hill Station where the Grunwick factory gates were situated in Chapter Road, the second on the bridge on Dudden Hill Lane (below) where the mass picket in support of the Grunwick strikers took place.

The work of the Grunwick40 group and artist Anna Ferrie add something extraordinary to the streetscape of Willesden marking a historic struggle of women, Asians and the trade union movement.

UNMISSABLE! Grunwick Mural unveiling Saturday at noon

From Grunwick40
 

We're looking forward to welcoming you tomorrow and revealing not just one mural to commemorate the Grunwick strike but two! 

As you come out of Dollis Hill tube station at the Chapter Road exit you'll be greeted by dhol players and some of the former strikers, and it's here that we'll unveil the first mural just after 12pm. We'll be standing directly outside the former factory, on the same pavement that the strikers and their supporters stood on 40 years ago. 

They'll then lead us in a short procession up Dudden Hill Lane (a 5 minute walk) to the site of the second mural - which is a huuuuge 28 metres long! After this is revealed we'll take another 7 minute walk back down the hill to the offices of Brent Mencap (379-381 High Road, NW10 2JR) for a short reception.

The view from the pavement outside Grunwick 40 years ago

 

Ken Montague: an appreciation

Ken Montague, a well known and respected local Brent activist who had recently moved to Brighton, died on Friday not quite a month after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

In perhaps his last email to friends and comrades after the diagnosis Ken finished by saying, 'Please pass on the word to those that need to know and say that I am relying on you to keep up the fight for better and more sustainable world. My only regret is that I'm bailing out so early. In comradeship, Ken'

I have offered to host tributes on Wembley Matters and begin with this from his colleagues in the University and College Union:

We regret to announce the death of Ken Montague, known to many of us as a socialist, climate change activist and member of the UCU London Retired Members branch. His contribution will be sorely missed. We send our condolences to his comrades, friends and family.

Merilyn Moos, vice chair of the retired members branch, who knew Ken for many years, has written this obituary.

I knew Ken as a comrade and friend from when we were in our early 20s. His sudden death, at 70, is a terrible blow, politically and personally.

Ken became an FE lecturer, first in what was then Kilburn Polytechnic (where I taught), then at Barnet. Before he retired, he did some part-time teaching at Middlesex. His main area was literature but he was deeply involved in Media Studies. His students loved him, especially those he took on annual pilgrimages to Cannes so that they could witness the iniquities but also the ‘alternative reality’ of the film industry for themselves. He was the Branch Secretary for what I suspect he felt was far too long, fighting the college management’s petty vindictiveness as well as the grander issues of conditions and pay. One of the crucial (and ultimately successful) campaigns he was crucially involved in was for the reinstatement of John Fernandes, a black lecturer at the College of North West London who was being dismissed for revealing the racist content of essays by police cadets whom he taught.

He was a member of IS, (International Socialists) then SW (Socialist Workers Party), an organisation which, with a couple of outs and ins, he remained a member of for all his life. He was passionate about his politics but never became a hack nor did he become bureaucratically compromised, retaining a fundamental commitment to grassroots struggle all his life.

The first massive class struggle I remember him in was at Grunwicks. He was the Secretary of Barnet Trades Council at the time and was on the Grunwick strike committee. From the beginning he stressed the importance, especially given the concealed racism, of solidarity between white, male, manual workers and Asian women and was vociferous in demanding, mass pickets to shut down Grunwick. As Ken wrote in SW: ’There was lots of talk of support from the top of the unions but it was mostly just talk.’ Indeed, as I remember vividly the turning point in the dispute came when, after a few weeks of mass pickets, the TUC (in the figure of Jack Dromey, then of Brent Trades Council, and indeed, Scargill,) marched us away from the gates. Ken would not have been in agreement with that.

 
Ken continued to be active, campaigning for example for the Respect candidate in Brent in a number of elections. But his next major and long-term involvement was over climate change, which, in recent years, including campaigning against fracking. He emphasised throughout the importance of trade union support and organisation. He was instrumental in setting up the Campaign against Climate Change Trade Union Group (CACCTU) and became its Secretary. He took a leading part in organising and promulgating the influential ‘One Million Climate Jobs’ booklet and campaign, both in Britain and internationally (supported by Jeremy Corbyn though one wouldn’t know it).

Last year he attended the Paris Climate talks as part of the Global Climate Jobs movement. Global Climate Jobs is the network of all the national climate campaigns, which he was instrumental in setting up. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) held an alternative summit in Paris, attended by approx 40 climate jobs activists from 20 countries, which launched a Global Climate Jobs campaign. Ken always emphasised the crucial role of trade unions.

As he wrote afterwards about Paris:

It is clear that the leaders of all the countries in the world have failed us. They did so because nowhere did we have the political and social power to make them take decisive action on climate… We have to mobilise... After all, we need cuts of 80% in global emissions, as soon as possible.

We have to fight to leave the coal, gas and oil in the soil, he said. So we need to replace fossil fuels almost entirely with renewable energy. Ken could always be found doing the organising, writing and distributing the leaflets, speaking at meetings and rallies (which he didn’t enjoy), making the contacts, arguing with rank and file trade unionists - but never claiming the lime light.

The last event he was organising was the Conference Climate Refugees, The Climate Crisis & Population Displacement. Building A Trade Union & Civil Society Response (to be held on Saturday 11 February 10pm - 5pm, NUT, Hamilton House) Let’s support it.

Ken died too young and we shall all miss him.

Pete Murry, fellow UCU member and Brent Green Party and London Green Party TU Liaision Offcer, Secretary of Green Left wrote: 

For much of his life Ken lived in Cricklewood and was active in many local campaigns against, council and goverment cuts, against racism and against war. He was the founder and backbone of the Brent Campaign Against Climate Change and a key organiser in Campaign Against Climate Change nationally and its Trade Union group. It was an honour to have worked with him on these campaigns and as a fellow UCU member.

Video Review of Grunwick Exhibition

From Grunwick to Deliveroo - migrant workers, trade unions & the new economy

A one-day conference on migrant workers, trade unions and the new economy.

Forty years ago Asian women at Grunwick led a strike for basic human dignity at work and for the right to join to a trade union. Today these battles are still being fought, often by migrant workers in precarious employment conditions. The experiences of workers at Byron revealed the extent to which migrant workers can be exploited by 'the new economy' and tossed aside when no longer needed, while those at Deliveroo showed that resistance is both necessary and possible.

This one-day conference will bring together campaigners, trade unionists, activists and thinkers to examine the changing nature of work and the terrains for resistance.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26TH 10.30AM-5.30PM

Willesden Library Centre
95 High Road
London
NW10 2SF

Willesden Green tube (Jubilee line)

Although a free event, please ensure you book your place HERE as spaces are limited.

Sessions will include: 

• The legacy of Grunwick
• Do we need independent trade unions?
• Building community support
• What does Brexit mean for workers
• Resisting immigration raids
• Building community support
•  

Confirmed participants are:

• Rita Chadha (Refugee and Migrant Forum Essex and London
• Dr Sundari Anitha
• Suresh Grover (The Moniroring Group)
• Anti Raids Network
• Amrit Wilson (writer, activist)
• Durham teaching assistants
• Jack Dromey MP
• Unite Hotel Workers Branch
• United Workers of the World Union (Deliveroo and other campaigns)
• More to be announced

Amrit Wilson to speak on Grunwick 40 at Ealing Town Hall - October 22nd

Saturday October 22nd 12 noon to 4pm at Ealing Town Hall, New Broadway, London W5

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Black History month brings together a series of events that celebrate the culture, history and achievements of black and ethnic minority communities. We hope to see you at at what promises to be a very special event.

Grunwick - 40 years on: Join Leroy Logan, MBE Former Chief Inspector & Chair of Black Police Association and Amrit Wilson Writer and Activist.

Race invites you to join us in remembering and celebrating Black women who were at the forefront of the Grunwick dispute 40 years ago.The day will consist of an exhibition dedicated to Grunwick, various performing artists with cultural food available, plus much more. Further details will follow but please keep this date free, it’s an event not to be missed.

Organised by GMB Race

Grunwick Exhibition opens soon at Willesden Green Library

Preston Commnity Hub Library was packed last night for a showing of 'The Great Grunwick Strike'. Here is a shorter film about the strike. The Exhibition about the strike will be opening soon as well as other events. As immigrant workers are targeted by the May government this is not just history but part of a struggle that continues today.

The Exhibition opens at The Library at Willesden Green on October 19th. Volunteers are needed to join a rota helping look after the Exhibition during opening hours engaging with the public and answering their questions. Contact grunwick40@gmail.com

Grunwick memory sharing Saturday at Brent Archives

Painting by Dan Jones

From Brent Musuem and Archives

In 1976, six workers walked out of Grunwick Film Processing Laboratory in Willesden. They staged a strike against their poor working conditions, demanding the right to join a union.

Less than two years later, those six had been joined by 20,000 supporters in an historic dispute fighting for better rights for poorly treated workers. Predominantly Asian women, these strikers shattered stereotypes, challenged the establishment, brought a community together to support the rights of workers and changed the face of trade unionism.

40 years after the start of the Grunwick Strike we want to celebrate their bravery and take their inspirational story to a new generation by installing a mural, developing an exhibition and holding a conference.

Grunwick40, in collaboration with Brent Museum and Archives, wants to collect stories, memories and experiences of the strike. If you, or one of your friends or relatives was involved – we want to hear from you. We aim to include some of these stories in the exhibition, and all will be added to the collections at Brent Archives.

We will be holding a story sharing session at Brent Archives (Second Floor, The Library at Willesden Green) on Saturday 27th August 2-4pm, so that you can explore some of the material held by Brent Museum and Archives related to the strike, and share your memories.

Email us at museum.archives@brent.gov.uk for more information or call 02089373600.

The Grunwick strike began 40 years ago today: 'WE ARE THOSE LIONS' - commemoration events

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From Grunwick40

It's an important day. Today is the 40th anniversary of the first moments of the Grunwick strike – and we're proud to announce our plans to commemorate it.  We'll be running a series of inspiring, thought-provoking events exploring Grunwick and its legacy, launching with Grunwick Memories on Saturday 27 August. Grunwick Memories is a free event, giving you the opportunity to explore and contribute to the Grunwick archive held by Brent Museum and Archives. Come along and take part in a story sharing session and add your memories and experiences of the strike to the Archive. You will also get an exclusive look at some of the materials that will feature in the upcoming exhibition. Grunwick Memories will take place at Brent Archive, on the second floor of The Library at Willesden Green, Willesden High Road NW10 2SF, from 2-4 pm on Saturday 27 August. Please join us! Email museum.archives@brent.gov.uk or call 020 8937 3600 for more information. Other upcoming events:   • We are those lions: The story of the Grunwick strike 1976-78 exhibition, launching October 2016 at The Library at Willesden Green. Look out for the launch date – coming soon. • The Great Grunwick Mural unveiling, Chapter Road, NW10. Be the first to see our amazing murals in place near the original Grunwick site. The design and unveiling details are still under wraps, but we'll be revealing details over the next few weeks, along with the names of our special guests, who'll be providing music and entertainment. • Explore Grunwick in more detail at our November events, a film screening and discussion on “Race and the Unions” at SOAS, November 2nd, and Grunwick 40: The Conference, The Library at Willesden Green, November 26th – booking for these events will open in October. Yours in solidarity, Grunwick 40 PS: Don't miss out on the reissued anniversary edition of Grunwick: The Workers’ Story, by Jack Dromey and Graham Taylor, with an updated introduction – due out in late September.

Temporary Project Manager wanted for Grunwick 40 Exhibition

We're recruiting!

Grunwick 40 has an exciting opportunity – we're recruiting a temporary Curator/Project Manager to help us develop our exhibition about the Grunwick Strike. We're looking for someone with experience of researching and developing displays and exhibitions which include both audio-visual and interactive material. A record of engaging young people in similar projects would be welcome.

Click here to download the job description, you've got until 27th June to apply!

Last chance to help fund Grunwick40 commemoration

A message from Grunwick40

We've raised over £9,000 so far to commemorate the Grunwick strikers – that brave group of workers who stood up for their rights 40 years ago and inspired a generation, changing the face of trade unions as they did it.

The work on the exhibition has started and the commemorative mural is taking shape with some stunning art being created at the community workshops.

We believe that the Grunwick mural will be the first ever piece of public art to mark the contribution of Asian women in Britain.

The mural is expensive to produce and install but we want to make it as high impact as possible. The Grunwick strikers fought for justice for all workers and now we want to do justice to them with a colourful tribute that is big, bold and celebratory.

We need your donations to help make this happen. 

This is the final week of our crowdfunding campaign and your last chance to get the fantastic rewards when you donate.

Please give whatever you can afford.

We have some exclusive rewards for people who donate including badges, posters, DVDs and rare artwork from the 1970s, so please consider making a personal donation or asking your union branch to make one. Whatever the amount, every £ helps to ensure that the legacy of Grunwick is not lost.

Please make your donation by 12.30pm on Monday 25th April. 

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Thank you. Yours, Grunwick 40 steering group

PS. Don't forget to spread the word, you can help by forwarding on this email, sharing our facebook posts or retweeting us!

We need this spirit now - 40 years since the Grunwick Strike in Brent

Grunwick Crowdfunder now open - commemorate 40 years since this epic strike

Meet tomorrow to help plan Grunwick commemoration 40 years on

Painting by Dan Jones

Plans are forging ahead to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Grunwick strike, one of the most significant events for trade unionists and anti-racists in the last century.

Plans include a mural, a major exhibition in conjunction with Brent Heritage,  a conference and other events initiated by Brent Trades Council and the Willesden Town Team. LINK

There is a meeting tomorrow (Thursday) at 7pm at Brent Trades Hall to further the plans. Everyone welcome - you don't have to be someone who remembers the strike to take part!

Brent Trades Hall (London Apollo Club) 375 High Rd, Willesden, NW10 2JR Dollis Hill tube / Near Willesden Bus Garage

Tribute to Ben Rickman who died yesterday

The funeral took place this afternoon of Ben Rickman, secretary of Brent Trades Union Council, who died suddenly yesterday..

Ben was a long-time trades unionist and labour movement campaigner and anti-racist activist well known in the borough.

He was a determined opponent of extreme right-wing groups and opposed the EDL's attempts to stir up hatred during their campaigns in Harrow and Wembley. He signed the following letter to the press when the EDL was threatening to demonstrate in Wembley:

The racist, Islamophobic English Defence League is threatening to demonstrate in Wembley on Saturday 26 June against a peace conference, organised by a Muslim charitable foundation and aimed at building understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.

The EDL is an organisation of violent, bigoted thugs with proven links to the Nazi British National Party. They should be condemned everywhere, but will be particularly unwelcome if they come to Wembley, part of this country’s most diverse borough.

We are proud of our diversity. In the London Borough of Brent, people live and work together, children study, play and grow up together in peace and mutual respect, regardless of faith or skin colour.

As residents and workers in this borough, we will not tolerate attempts to divide us or stir up hatred. We stood united to show that there was no place for racism or Islamophobia in the neighbouring borough of Harrow. We stand prepared to do the same in Brent.

Commemorating Jayaben Desai who led the famous Grunwick strike, Ben said:

Jayaben Desai destroyed the myth of passive Asian women and contributed to the advancement of Asian people in the UK. Many consider her a role model. She also contributed to unions taking the organisation of migrant workers as a campaign priority, one of her lasting legacies.

Supporting last year's Give Our Kids a Future unity march in Hackey which took place after the riots he said:

Please include the support of Brent Trades Union Council. Brent is a borough of many languages and cultures and a spectrum ranging from deprivation in Harlesden to millionaire homes in Kenton. We wish this demonstration every success. We all have a right to work, and to be valued and developed. Opportunity only exists for some, not for all and that is very wrong.

These extracts demonstrate why Ben was held in such regard as a man of principle.He will be greatly missed and perhaps the best tribute we can pay him is to join the March For An Alternative on Saturday. He would have been there.