| AdminHistory | This arose from a play originally produced by Broadside Mobile Workers' Theatre. The Banner production, initially called 'The Shrewsbury Two', was concerned with the case of two construction workers, Eric Tomlinson and Dennis Warren. Both were convicted in December 1973 at Shrewsbury Crown Court of conspiracy to intimidate workers on building sites in Shrewsbury and Telford during the 1972 national building strike. Their cause became significant for the labour movement, as the rights of trades unionists to implement effective picketing were being challenged through the courts.
The background to this case was union opposition to the practice known as 'The Lump'. Under this system, non-unionised workers were employed on building and construction sites, often without full employment and safety rights.
The production's altered title reflected the twenty four pickets who were originally arrested [including Tomlinson and Warren]. The show was criticised by the construction company Bryants as 'politically motivated' and it refused Banner Theatre permission to perform at the Bryants building site at 'Centre City', Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham. The Midland Region of the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians [UCATT] provided an alternative venue at its office in Gough Street, Birmingham.
This record series reflects the significance attached to the cause of the Shrewsbury pickets, with much campaigning material having been gathered by Banner Theatre. |