Justice for the Cammell Laird 37

A Call to Action

Last year, 2024, marked the 40th anniversary of the strike and occupation at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, Merseyside. On 16 August 2024, the Justice for Cammell Laird 37 Campaign was re-established, inspired by the recent success of the campaign for justice for the imprisoned Shrewsbury pickets and determined to reinvigorate the long-running fight for justice.

The Justice for Cammell Laird 37 Campaign have also drawn strength from the miners’ campaign for justice for the Orgreave pickets, who were framed on riot charges in 1984. Like them, the re-established Campaign for historic injustice will not be forgotten.

The Justice for Cammell Laird 37 Campaign has the official backing of the GMB union, which has stood by its thirty-seven members who paid a heavy price for standing up for their jobs and their community.

The Fight for Justice

By the early 1980s, the workforce at Cammell Laird had been reduced to just 2,000, as the Conservative Government lead by Maragaret Thatcher government pursued its ruthless policy of deindustrialisation. The privatisation of British Shipbuilders in 1983 was nothing short of industrial vandalism—part of a wider strategy to break trade unions and dismantle Britain’s manufacturing industry. The attack on Cammell Laird came as the Miners’ Strike of 1984/85 was in full force, as was the struggle of Liverpool City Council against cuts to jobs and services imposed by the same Government.

When a further 800 redundancies were announced in the summer of 1984, workers recognised the existential threat to the yard. In response, they occupied an oil rig and blockaded the gangway of the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Edinburgh—a bold act of defiance to defend jobs, a simple goal and a fundamental right.

The occupation ended in September 1984 under threat of a violent police assault, with the strikers’ drinking water supply cut off. Thirty-seven workers were arrested and charged with contempt of court for refusing to abandon their occupation and attend legal proceedings initiated by management. They were locked up for a month in HMP Walton – their real crime trying to prevent compulsory redundancies in an area blighted by mass unemployment.

The consequences of being sent to prison were devastating. All 37 were fired, stripped of their pensions and redundancy rights, and blacklisted. Their lives and livelihoods were cruelly ruined.

Why We Must Act Now

Decades later, the convictions of these workers still stand. Crucial documents remain hidden from public view. Some of the 37 have passed away, and time is running out. That is why the Justice for Cammell Laird 37 Campaign is calling on the Labour Government to reopen this case and secure justice and compensation for the Cammell Laird 37. However, they will not be relying upon this and the Campaign has instructed Paul Heron at the Public Interest Law Centre and counsel at Doughty Street chambers to look at re-opening the case, as the matter is a serious miscarriage of justice.

PILC Legal Director Paul Heron stated:

“The jailing of the 37 Cammell Laird workers was a grave miscarriage of justice—an attempt to crush trade union resistance. These men were fighting for jobs and communities, yet they were criminalised. Their convictions must be overturned.”

How You Can Help

We are asking for your support in the following ways:

• Issue a statement of support for the campaign and the call for Justice for the Cammell Laird 37.
• Urge your trade union branch to give its official backing to the campaign.
• Contact MPs in your area and call on them to press the government to reopen the case.
• Donate to the campaign to help fund legal costs and campaigning efforts.

Account Name: Justice for the Cammell Laird Thirty Seven Committee

Sort Code: 60-83-01

Account Number: 20523347

The fight for justice is far from over. With your support, we can right this historic wrong.