It is surprising that one of the longest running industrial disputes occurred here in Devon, at Fine Tubes in Plymouth from June 1970 to June 1973. It began on June 15th, 40 years ago, and fundamentally at stake was the ability of trade unions to organise in workplaces where they had previously been absent. Though the strike ultimately ended in defeat, it provides many lessons for struggles today, particularly as much of the fightback to come will necessitate the rebuilding of trade union organisation after decades of decline and defeat.
North Devon Socialist Party member Doug Lowe has produced an account of the strike, which can be found in the downloads section of this website, in the 'Lead offs' folder.
In it he not only outlines the development of the dispute, but analyses the reasons for its defeat, and what lessons there are for workers entering struggle today, and also for socialists looking to support such struggles. Quoting a book published on the strike, Doug points out that the strikers themselves felt it "important to emphasise that if they, with so little previous experience, can build up the fighting organisation that they proved to be able to do, then there is an example for all workers in backward and underdeveloped areas to learn from and use."
How true this is in the light of the success of the Sodexo workers at North Devon District Hospital earlier on this year, and how important it is to bear this in mind as we face the onslaught from the ConDem government in the months and years ahead.
