Wapping

Speaking further of news: throughout the News International NOTW furore I was surprised not to hear the word “Wapping” in relation to the lengthy picket line that took place there in the 1980’s. It was one of the main labour strikes, along with the Miners and the Railway Workers.  (I still rem a song about Jimmy Knapp)

It began in 1986 and ended a year later in 1987. You can read more details on it here. I clearly remember buses (or maybe minibuses) taking people to the picket line there and how defining that strike was in terms of the move to destroy the unions in England under Thatcherism. Eeery foreshadowing in the way the workers were yet again sold down the swanny in this recent episode. (Whatever one’s sentiments about NOTW).