Catalogue Number
NMLH.1999.8
Object Name
Banner
Title
'GCHQ. Trade Unions. Sacked.'
Place
GCHQ, Cheltenham, Gloucester, England, UK
People
Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ), Sean Cusack
Events
GCHQ Union Dispute
Date
1992
Creator(s)
Cusack, S
Description
Black banner with writing: 'GCHQ Trade Unions. SACKED' with the word sacked inserted in white between the words trade union. The central panel is the GCHQ satalite dish logo with the names of 14 sacked workers coming out of it on stripes colour coded in red, green or blue.
In 1984 the government banned workers at the Government Communications Head Quarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham from being members of a trade union. Some workers disregarded the ban and refused to give up their membership. As a result 14 workers were dismissed in November 1988. This banner commemorates the sacking of the 14 workers. The design lists their names coming out of the GCHQ dish logo, each name is colour coded to represent the union they were a member of.
Sean Cusack designed and made this banner in 1992. The centre panel was hand painted and sewn into the banner. He has made several banners, mainly for civil service unions. It was taken on the annual march through Cheltenham organised by GCHQ to campaign for the lifting of the ban. The ban was finally lifted in May 1997.
**ON DISPLAY**
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