Twelve workers at the packaging firm Prisme in Dundee have occupied their factory after being sacked with no notice and told that they would receive no redundancy pay. Andy Yorke applauds these workers' courageous action and urges trade unionists and socialists to send solidarity messages and funds.

After receiving their redundancy notices, telling them they were sacked with immediate effect, they decided to occupy on Wednesday 4 March in order to highlight their situation and force the company to reverse its shoddy treatment.

Speaking to the Scotsman paper, one occupier stated "We have decided to dig in until we get what we are due. The company have shown us a complete lack of respect. We will make a stand and hopefully stop this sort of thing happening in the future."

Prisme claims that after losing a contract it had no choice, and did the equivalent of pulling out its pockets, stating in the notices: "Unfortunately we do not have any money to make these payments to you."

However there is no proof that the company is bankrupt - the workers should use their opportunity to open the books - or filing cabinets and computers - and find out exactly where the money is going in the firm.

Occupy against closures
The Prisme occupation is the first in Britain since the 1996 Glasgow Glacier occupation, and points to the revival of this tactic in the current slump. Already there have been occupations in the US at Republic Windows and Doors and at Waterford and Calcast in Ireland[/INT].

In the crisis of the early 1970s the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders' occupation rocked Scotland - now the thousands of car workers, such as those at Cowley, steel workers, postal workers and more facing the closure of their factories, shops and sorting offices should take note of the bold action of the Prisme workers and follow suit. A wave of occupations would knock the government for six and force it to respond to the plight of the thousands losing their jobs each week.

Occupations are the only way workers can make sure that a closed factory is not dismantled for good, with its stocks and equipment moved out. It is the most powerful bargaining chip workers could have to make demands on the bosses - and the state to nationalise the firm if it is bankrupt. And it is the strongest and most effective form of action.

It ups the ante, forcing the state to show its hand. Will the council or government dare rule in favour of a heartless company ripping off its workers and oust the occupation by force, in the process rousing mass anger and possibly solidarity action? Or will it allow the occupation to proceed with the danger of making it look like a legitimate tactic to millions of workers who might not have considered it before? It grabs workers' attention, posing the need for solidarity and inspires other to act.

The twelve mostly-young occupiers have vowed to maintain their occupation as long as it takes. They are not in a union but this occupation shows that, if the unions were to begin a militant campaign against job losses and try to unionise the non-unionised millions of workers, they would find a massive response. As one of the Prisme workers said, "If 12 of us can do it, then anybody can." Exactly right!

This "just do it" attitude shows up the inertia of the trade union officialdom so far in the jobs crisis. It could also inspire the millions not in unions but working under exploitative, harsh conditions in the service sector and in smaller firms. Rather than wait for the "big battalions" of the working class to move, the Prisme workers show that workers even in smaller firms can stand up to the boss and take action to defend their pay, jobs, and conditions.

Solidarity now!
The Prisme workers have stated: "We will hold out for as long as it takes." The trade union movement needs to support them all the way. The Dundee Trades Council has reportedly donated some funds; others should follow. Trade unionists can take workplace collections, pass branch motions for solidarity funds, and send messages of support.

Please text/phone urgent messages of support to 07970-875 455 or email prismeworkerssolidarity@googlemail.com