Wapping 1986-87

Film: Despite The Sun

The Wapping print dispute was one of the last large set-piece battles between the labour movement and the Thatcher regime and had ramifications that are still being felt today – in the working conditions of millions and in the way in which the mass media operates.

On January 24, 1986, Rupert Murdoch’s News International group with the support of the Thatcher government moved production of its four national newspapers to Wapping in London’s Docklands. Over 5,000 production and clerical workers were sacked overnight. The journalists were not sacked, but more than 100 — the ‘refuseniks’ — took a stand on principle and walked out of their jobs. Months of bitter and often violent pickets and blockades took place – and at least one death.

Speakers, Mike Jempson, Mike Richardson and Paul Breeden (NUJ) will  will be sharing their memories and experiences of the disputes in London and the South West, looking at what forms the opposition took and asking what lessons we can take from the struggle today. A film ‘Despite The Sun’, covering the dispute and its impact will also be shown alongside other materials (strike papers, posters etc) produced at the time.

This event is in association with Bristol IndyMedia.