United We Stand

By the 1970s the UK’s building companies were making millions re-building the country, whilst building workers faced the most dangerous working conditions and poorest wages of any trade.

In the summer of '72, for twelve weeks, 300,000 building workers launched their industry's first national all-out strike to end cash "lump" wages and seek better pay by using the controversial tactic of 'Flying Pickets'.

Five months after the apparent success of the strike, which had enraged the construction industry and government, 24 builders in North Wales were charged with offences including conspiracy and affray, and were prosecuted at Shrewsbury Crown Court in 1973.

They became known as "The Shrewsbury 24", and three of them were jailed, including building workers Des Warren and Ricky Tomlinson.