The 'frightened' men of Brum
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MANY of the employees of the stricken Birmingham Containerbase are now "frightened men," according to general manager Mr Eric Sharrock. He was speaking after top-level talks aimed at reopening the base collapsed in London on Monday.
Talks cannot be restarted until next Tuesday because Mr Alan Law, Birmingham Transport Union boss, was not available this week.
Mr Sharrock's statement said : "We are now faced not just with an industrial relations problem but a deliberate attack on democracy itself and all that that means. A large number of our employees want to return to work but are being prevented from doing so by the very people who were elected to represent them.
"We will not bow to thuggery, intimidation or suspect political ambitions even if it eventually means that fairminded employees of this company are faced with the real prospect of losing their livelihood as a result," said Mr Sharrock.
A spokesman for the company said later that the base was open for those who wish to return to work.
Mr Law was not available for comment on Tuesday.