A site dedicated to the history of the "Progressive" working people of Hayes - A Peoples History Hayes Peoples History
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Robert Watson - Picket Killed 18th January 1979
Robert Watson was carrying out lawful union picketing duty at Aberdeen docks with his work mates on the 18th January 1979 , when he was struck and killed by a speeding non union lorry driver.
As far as can be be researched, Robert Watson was the only reported death during the Winter of Discontent strikes of 1979
Media hostility, copycat reporting and an unwillingness to move from an anti union narrative, means that to this day his tragic death goes unmentioned by those commenting on the Winter of Discontent strike.
The only fatality during the "Winter of Discontent" despite the media hysteria was a trade unionists going about his lawful right to strike for a living wage.
Remember Robert Watson