The Grunwick dispute began in August 1976 when 137 workers walked out of the Grunwick film processing plant in Willesden, north-east London. The dispute, which centred on the lack of union recognition at Grunwick, involved the Association of Professional, Executive, Clerical and Computer Staff union (APEX), which represented the strikers. The strike, which was co-ordinated by the Grunwick Strike Committee, became a cause celebre for the union movement attracting a wide range of activist support to picket lines outside the plant. There were allegations of violence and intimidation made by both management and the strikers and such was the national impact of the dispute that the then Labour Government set up a Cabinet committee to deal with the issues it raised. The strike was finally called off by the remaining strikers in July 1978 after 670 days.
Reference: Jack Dromey, Grunwick; the workers' story (London, 1978).
Reference: George Ward, Fort Grunwick (London, 1977).
From the guide to the Grunwick dispute archive, 1975-1978, (Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick Library)
