8.3. 1 (Plain) Special Report} SUBJECT Processing Laboratories Reference to Papers M. (2) .uium- :97 1 {r ?no? "n??ff?opoumm POLICE . SPECIAL BRANCH at.) 1. This report deals with the industrial dispute at Grunwicks Processing Laboratories Ltd, Chapter Road, W10, which is now in its tenth month and has erupted into violence and public disorder. 2. In tracing the history of the dispute it will be shown that the violence has been introduced by a Trotskyist group - the Socialist workers Party who in anticipation of an eventual victory by the striking workers, pose as their champions. 3. The dispute began on Monday 23.8.76, when 50 out of a total of 10h mainly Asian workers at the Chapter Road factory walked out protesting at the lack of Trade Union representation, poor rates of pay, and the unfair dismissal of an Asian employee. Some of the strikers went to the Cobbold Road factory where they persuaded several of the 300 workers there to join the strike. There was no disorder on that occasion. Some 59 strikers were then dismissed by Grunwicks for reasons which were accepted as valid by an Industrial Tribunal. They joined the Association of Professional, Executive, Clerical and Computer Staffs (APEX) who undertook to campaign for their re-instatement. h. Grunwick Processing Laboratories are engaged in printing and developing photo-film under various names such as "Bonuspool" and "Trucolour"; most of their trade is done by post. This company apparently does not encourage its employees to belong to a Trade Union. In 1973 a strike occurred when the Transport and General workers Union took . up the case of dismissed employees with a view to obtaining Trade Union recognition within Grunwicks. On that occasion the firm were able to resist the unionisation of the work force. Consequently it became a matter of interest to trade unionists to see whether APEX could succeed where the TGWU had failed. 5. In connection with the current dispute a strike co ittee was formed consisting of: Grunwick employee Area organiser of APEK Secretary of Brent?Trades Council Grunwick employee employee 1 Page No. 2. In addition to organising strike pickets they arranged for marches and demonstrations to be held to publicise their case. 6. The strike committee received the sympathy and verbal support of variohs influential figures in the Trade Union Movement, particular General Secretary of Tra?e?Union Congress, of the Post Offic orkers Union. It is the post office workers were prepared to "black" all mail to and from the Grunwick factories but were unable to do so because of a successful action brought in the High Court by the National Association of Freedom. However, in terms of support for pickets and demonstrations Trade Unionists generally were not much in evidence, and the impression was given or wrongly) that the Asians at Grunwicks did not merit the same sympathy as white employees elsewhere. 7. The strike committee organised a daily picket of the Grunwick factories in Willesden. From time to time they arranged for larger pickets or for a march round local -factories. A list of these demonstrations is given at Appendix to this report. It will be seen that from September 1976 to May 1977 these pickets were in general peaceful and involved small numbers, the largest being on 27.h.77 when some 550 persons took part in a march. 8. The effect of demonstrations and pickets up to may 1977 was not satisfactory so far as the strike committee were concerned. They decided that they should make a special effort and accordingly they arranged a "week of action" from 13.6.77; This meant that tlfe daily picket would be reinforced by outside groups. It was perhaps felt that the management of Grunwicks were getting the upper hand because by the end of may the sacked employees had been replaced, the workforce had gained pay rises, and business appeared to be going well. (The current issue of the "Which" magazine puts the firm high on its list for value and efficiency.) It may be the case that the management of the firm did not exercise proper tact, as according to - material put out by the strike committee, Director of Grunwicks, took to haranguing the strike pickets and involving himself in scuffles with them. 9. From the beginning of the diSpute the strike committee have issued various bulletins which usually were confined to a plain statement of demands and hopes. However, some extreme political groups produced leaflets which were identical in appearance but which were much more inflammatory in tone. Submitted as an example at Appendix are two leaflets, one officially issued by the Grunwick strike committee and the other by Brent hartists a small Trotskyist group. It seemed that the dispute would remain S.B.U. No. 21 Page No. 3. a private fight between APEX and Grunwicks unless other elements intervened. 9. The Socialist workers Party has maintained an interest in the dispute throughout. Members of the Right to Work Campaign (an off-shoot of the SWP) took part in the first march outside Grunwicks on 10.9.76. The SWP were kept safely at arms length by APEX who apparently treat the as a proscribed organisation. The SWP has an influence with the Brent Trades Council and has every means of knowing about the proposed activities of the Grunwick strike committee. The SWP looked forward to the "week of action" with relish as they saw for themselves an opportunity to achieve by militancy what the endeavour by APEX had patently failed to do, ie bring the Grunwick strike into the headlines. 10. In the SWP weekly paper, the "Socialist worker" dated 11.6.76, there appeared an article about the week of action (copy submitted Appendix This includes statements as follows: "First: number on the first day must be massive. This will make the police far less willing to provoke a confrontation. Second: if the police do provoke a confrontation the pickets must stand firm. Aggressive picketing can close the factory". 11. Special Branch had information that the Socialist workers Party would call out all its London branches on the first day of the "week of action" and that it was their intention to prevent the early shift from getting into the factory at Chapter Road, NW10. 12. As shown in Special Branch report 13.6.77 dealing with the picket on that day, there was considerable re?inforcement of the normal picket outside the Chapter Road entrance to Grunwicks. By 7.30 am there were 250 persons, at least half of whom were under the leadership of the Socialist WOrkers Party. Police were present to ensure that the gates of the factory remained open to allow workers to go to their jobs. Cordons were positioned so as to form a funnel through which employees could enter the factory without molestation., On the other side of the police were the demonstrators who could see that once they had broken the police line they could effectively close the gates. Disorder occurred because the demonstrators, mainly the SWP element, persistently tried to break the police cordons. 13. On 13.6.77 there were 80 arrests, on 1h.6.77 there were 13 and on 15.6.77 there were 21; all were charged with public order offences. 1 Page No. 1h. A high ratio of police to demonstrators is obviously the only means at present available to ensure that the "week of action" does not degenerate into further violence. Local officers have had to endure accusations of partiality and racial bias put forward by members of the strike committee and members of Brent Trades Council. This has created a situation whereby the SWP can excuse their own mischief by alleging that they are defending themselves against police heavyhhandedness. 15. It is the case that when the prkets are formed from APEX and strike committee members there is very little disorder; when the pickets are "assisted" by the SWP, disorder occurs. h. Detective Inspector ,g/f 01mm SUPERINTENDENT - . I 1 1? i (glint . I . "um?m (2) Date 10. 9.76 20. 9.76 1.10.76 15.10.76 1.11.76 3.11.76 10.12.76 27. h.77 . A I to Special Branch report dated 16 June 1977 Numbers taking Expe of Event Part March in vicinity of factories 150 in the Willesden area Picket in Chapter Road 30 March in vicinity of factories - 80 in the Willesden area Meeting at Hyde Park Corner and lobby of Parliament Picket in Chapter Road 25 Picket in Chapter Road 50 March in vicinity of factories 110 in Willesden area March in vicinity of iactories 550 in Willesden area Arrests