Catalogue Number
NBS I/D 391
Object Name
banner
Title
GRUNWICK STRIKE COMMITTEE - DEFEND THE RIGHT TO STRIKE - T.G.W.U. - A.P.E.X.
Place
Willesden & London & England & UK
People
Grunwick Strike Committee: Jayandi; and Vipin Magdani; Dessai, Jayaben & Women; workers: transport
Events
Dispute; strike & Grunwick
Date
1976
Creator(s)
NBS National Museum of Labour HistoryNBS National Museum of Labour HistoryJayandi (designer)Jayandi, and Vipin Magdani (painters)
Description
Grunwick Dispute Banner, 1976
This banner was produced by the Grunwick strike committee. The committee was formed during a dispute at the Grunwick film processing plant in Willesden, north west London. In August 1976, over a quarter of the workforce joined a trade union and went on strike in support of sacked colleagues and to protest about appalling work conditions; those working at the plant were paid an average of £28 per week at a time when the national average was £72 per week, and overtime was compulsory. The strike was led by Jayaben Desai.
This banner was designed by Jayandi, an Indian worker, who painted it with Committee member Vipin Magdani. The work was influenced by the work of the Russian artist El Lissitzky, and bears the initials of the two main Trade Unions that lended support to the strike - the Transport and General Workers' Union [TGWU] and the Association of Professional, Executive, Clerical and Computer Staffs [APEX].
The two unions were actively involved in the dispute, and the strike was initially supported by the Trade Unions Council [TUC]; many Trade Unionists attended mass pickets to support the striking workers. However, the TUC soon believed that the strike could not be won and withdrew their support; the strikers continued to fight and even went on hunger strike outside of the TUC conference to protest. But, despite their efforts, the strike was called off in 1978.
The dispute is remembered as a key moment in protest history for the leadership of the Asian and East African Asian women, and for the wide support from white working class men; a turning point in race relations.
Materials: unbleached cotton fabric with hand painted image in acrylic paint.
Multimedia
