After 51 days the Dundee Prisme workers have decided to end their occupation. In the press release below, the strikers explain that the occupation, which began to secure redundancy payments, has secured funding to reestablish Prisme as a co-operative.
The reason we have taken this decision is that it looks like we have secured
funding to take our co-op venture forward and save the jobs that we thought had
gone.Our occupation began to secure our redundancy payments and other monies that
were denied to us by our employer when we were sacked. However, during the
occupation we also decided to fight to safeguard our jobs because we believed
there was a viable business, even if our predecessors did not.. It looks like
we have achieved this aim. A new company Discovery Packaging and Design Ltd is
going to be launched on 1st May 2009.This victory would not have been possible if it had not been for the support we
have had from the general public, trade unionists, socialists and many others.
This support and solidarity has been overwhelming and has helped give us the
energy and determination to carry on for more than 7 weeks.We said at the beginning of this that we were little people who had refused to
be little anymore. We are proud of what we have achieved and our dignity is
intact. We showed we would not be walked over by an uncaring employer.We want to thank all those who have supported our struggle over the last 51
days, your support has been invaluable. Thanks once again to you all.The Prisme workers will be leaving the factory together and united at 5pm on
Friday 24th April. Come along and wish them well - bring your banners!