Timex strike

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Timex strike
Date29 January – 28 August 1993
Location
Dundee, Scotland
Caused by
  • Cut in pay
  • Layoffs of some workers
Goals
  • Prevent workers from being laid off
  • Demands for better pay
Methods
  • Strike action
  • Mass picketing
Resulted in
  • Closure of Timex factory in Dundee after 47 years
  • Workers of Timex factory made unemployed
Parties to the civil conflict
Timex Corporation

Protesters

  • Striking workers
Number

3,000+ protesters

(not all involved in violence)
Casualties
Death(s)None
InjuriesVarious
Arrested38

The Timex strike was a major industrial dispute which took place in Dundee, Scotland, in 1993. The dispute, which was notable for its level of picket-line violence, resulted in the closure of the Timex plant in the city after 47 years.[1][2]

Background[]

By the 1980s the Timex Corporation had been a major employer in Dundee for four decades. From the early part of that decade the company attempted to streamline their operations in the city, due to difficulties in competing with the Far East. The facility had enjoyed a temporary reprieve in the early part of the decade due to Timex's contract with Sinclair Research to manufacture its personal computer products (principally the ZX81 and ZX Spectrum), which sold in huge numbers. However, Sinclair's computer business was bought out in 1986 by Amstrad, who ended the lucrative contract, and once again the factory fell upon bad times. This ultimately led to attempts to reduce wages and cut the size of the workforce. These attempts were resisted by the workers and their trade union.[1]

Strike[]

In early January 1993, there were proposed layoffs at the factory. A ballot for strike action came out at 92% in favour, while requests for negotiation and arbitration were ignored. On 29 January, the workers came out on strike. They offered to return to work on 17 February; however, they were told that there would be a cut of 10% across the board. When they refused to accept those conditions, they were locked out. Strikebreakers were brought in to replace the striking workers.[3] On 28 August 1993, the factory shut, following six months of industrial unrest.

The strike has been described as the last major strike in the UK, and has been the subject of a play[4] and an exhibition at the University of Dundee.[5] A collection of records relating to the strike is held by the university's Archive Services.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "MS 272 Timex (George Mason) Collection". Archive Services Online Catalogue. University of Dundee. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Timex closes Dundee factory: Company leaves city after bitter dispute". The Independent. 30 August 1993. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  3. ^ Seize the time
  4. ^ [Theatre to perform Timex strike play "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)]
  5. ^ Timex: History of Struggle


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