SILENTNIGHT SACKS 500 (FTAT union) strike supporter's badge c.1985 - a scarce badge

Postage is extra.

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For sale is a hard to find strike supporter's enamel badge issued in 1986 by the Furniture, Timber & Allied Trades union (FTAT). Funds raised from the sale of such badges would have been used to supplement the €20 weekly strike pay, which for many families was insufficient.

The strike arose at Silentnight Ltd (bed and mattress manufacturers) after the company declared 52 redundancies, which action ran counter to an existing agreement between Silentnight and the FTAT union. A work-to-rule was implemented by the workers and later, FTAT balloted it members on industrial action and a strike was voted for by 540 to 800. Pickets were placed against both Silentnight factories at Barnoldswick and Sutton near Keighley. The management responded by summarily suspending all those out and issued a warning to return to work after the end of the fortnight's holiday. Those that remained out on strike were dismissed and 346 workers were summarily sacked.

The Silentnight strike was the longest in British industrial history lasting 616 days from June 1985 to February 1987. The Thatcher Conservative government had previously removed much legislation that stacked the odds against workers in the event of industrial disputes and in favour of the employers. The strike was finally defeated, but the bitterness endured.

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DESCRIPTION:
Size: About 1" diameter (26mm).
Material(s): Brass metal with 3 vitreous enamels.
Finish: Gilt.
Fitting: Pin.
Imprint: None.
Approximate age: 1985 to 1986.

CONDITION:
Good condition. No damage. Full gilt and pin in good working order. There are minor scratch marks but these are visible only under magnification.
Please see photograph(s), these form part of the description.

POSTAGE:
* Postal costs are extra, additional to the Asking Price
* I always get a proof-of-posting certificate.
* I combine postal costs for multiple items when these are paid for and posted the same time.

RETURNS:
* Return accepted if the item(s) is returned in same condition it left me, then the full Agreed Asking Price will be refunded. Postal costs are not refundable.
* Buyer pays the return postal costs - unless agreed otherwise.

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