Union Support for Rent Strike
Socialist Press1976 1976-09-08Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 10 →
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An important struggle has developed in the Black Country borough of Sandwell against rent increases imposed by the Labour Council.
From August 9th Sandwell's 60,000 tenants were expected to pay increases of up to 30% of their present rents.
.50 Most people in houses were to pay £1.50 more and most people in flats fl.
A wave of protests erupted over these increases, which it was pointed out would swallow in one bite the whole of the 4½% increase allowed under the present pay policy.
Tenant associations were formed or revived right across the borough and an action committee was decision was taken to withold the increases, and pickets were mounted on rent offices. 10,000 tenants are now witholding rent increases.
On August 9th a meeting of 1,000 tenants took place at West Bromwich Town Hall. The atmosphere was electric.
Tipton tenants leader, Jim Smith, had a letter from the JSSC of the Leyland subsidiary Beams Industries to the council and local MPs.
This threatened strike action if any tenant was evicted and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the increases.
Similar messages of were en by the conveno s of Rı bery 'en and leaders at Bi ;R Reco rds.
1l - - 1 11 -besnikıo elkla SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 8th September 1976 wissende aie idiurinnimedts duine t m "dbinedds adun neen candkine.. RIAL