No to the war - work stoppages on Friday

Shortly after 1 p.m. on Thursday, the Federation received a fax from the General Workers Union (GWU) advising it that the GWU was joining European trade unions as part of the international campaign being organised by the executive committee of the...

Shortly after 1 p.m. on Thursday, the Federation received a fax from the General Workers Union (GWU) advising it that the GWU was joining European trade unions as part of the international campaign being organised by the executive committee of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

The GWU was going to issue a directive to its members to stop work between noon and 12.30 p.m. the following day as a symbolic act against war in Iraq.

The FOI immediately contacted the GWU and expressed its disagreement with actions of the sort, particularly since Fridays are usually dedicated to shipping out weekly consignments and the stoppage would inevitably have a negative effect on industry. The federation also highlighted its research findings that many European unions supporting the ETUC's call for work stoppages at midday on Friday were giving directives for stoppage of only 10 to 15 minutes.

Following the FOI's representations, the GWU advised the FOI, and the federation informed its members accordingly, that the work stoppage would be of 10 minutes.

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