United We Stand

In the 1960s and 70s the UK's building companies were making millions re-building the country, but 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'.

The partial success of the strike, and the methods used, enraged the construction industry and government, and five months later culminated in the arrest of 24 builders in North Wales who were charged with offences including conspiracy to intimidate and affray. The "24" were prosecuted at Shrewsbury Crown Court in 1973 and three were jailed, including building workers Des Warren and Ricky Tomlinson.