As socialists we clearly support the movement of the workers in
fighting for their right to work and pay. There is no doubt in my mind
that supporters of Socialist Appeal, and those who are amongst the
readership of Socialist Appeal, must absolutely support the fight for
their pay that the workers of the Prisme Packaging Plant are engaged in
and have been since Wednesday (04/03/09).
Prisme Packaging Plant opened as per usual on Wednesday the 4th. The
workers came in to begin work but by 9am the Managing Director, the
person who the workers had thought that was the owner of the company,
all of a sudden resigned and handed the workers of the company
individual letters. In these letters the workers were told that they
were to be laid off without any back pay which had been due since 1st
of March. The situation naturally can be better explained by this quote
from Matthew who has worked at the Prisme packaging plant for two
years. He said:
"On Monday we came into work as normal and the Managing Director came
in and gave his letter of resignation. So we phoned the company
secretary who was actually on holiday. We were told to speak to a guy
called Alan Dand. On Tuesday he called us, and an administrator came to
look at the accounts. Then the company told us that they didn’t have
enough assets to pay for the administrator and said, ‘Looks like we’re
just going to shut the door’.
“We were told that the director and a legal representative were
coming to tell us our rights but in fact the legal representative was
for the director and wouldn’t tell us anything. They won’t even tell us
who owns the company! We demanded that we be given a letter how much we
were entitled to in redundancy payments, our P45’s and statutory
redundancy forms. When we received the letter it stated how much our
statutory redundancy payments were and that we were entitled to wages,
pay in lieu of notice and accrued holiday pay. Then the next sentence
of the letter said ‘Unfortunately, we do not have any money to make
these payments to you’.
“They said there were other routes we could take to get our
redundancy payments, but all they have suggested is speaking to the
Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
“After receiving these letters we were told to leave and come back
at half nine in the morning but we decided we’re not leaving until we
receive what we’re entitled to. We’re not giving them the opportunity
to lock the doors while we’re out so we end up with nothing."
It has also been reported that Maureen a worker of the factory for 13
years spoke of the optimistic mood amongst the workers in the factory
“We have decided to continue our fight to put this company to shame. We
have to fight for our rights. The support we have had has been
tremendous, totally amazing." This shows only in a small part the
growing radicalisation of the working class of not only Scotland but
also of the United Kingdom as a whole. If we base the outlook of how
this occupation goes in regards to that of the Chicago Republic Windows
factory occupation then , should the Prisme workers continue their
struggle, they may look at seeing the company bought over by another
and the workers managing to keep their jobs. However we cannot be sure
how the capitalists will react in this instance.
Send messages of support to the workers occupying the Prisme Packaging
Plant by texting or phoning: 07970875455 or alternatively you can send
an email to prismeworkerssolidarity@googlemail.com. In addition to
sending the workers of the Plant messages of support supporters, should
see about gathering together canned foods and organising a collection
at local Labour party and trade union meetings, so that they can be
sent to the workers to help them through the occupation. These can be
sent to:
Prisme Packaging & Design Ltd
Unit 2 Angus Works
Tannadice Street
Dundee DD3 7PT
