Manchester Solidarity Federation carried out a successful picket outside Laibaz restaurant in Bolton on Saturday 24th September. The picket was part of the campaign Manchester SF is organising against the owner of the restaurant who owes ex-employees thousands of pounds in unpaid wages. The picket was a real success with a number of people who had planned to eat at the restaurant refusing to cross the picket line. Throughout the picket we had people stopping to offer support with several people sharing their experiences of being mistreated at work. We also collected details of one person who wanted to get involved in the campaign. The local newspaper took pictures of the picket and interviewed one of the ex-employees. Several members of Manchester IWW joined the picket to add their support to the campaign.
Besides the picket, the campaign has included a number of successful phone blockades as well as postering and leafleting events around Bolton. A number of demand letters have been sent to the owner of Laibaz, Sunar Alom, who continues to refuse to enter negotiations. Manchester Solfed is determined to escalate the campaign in the coming weeks if the owner doesn't change his stance towards the just demands of the campaign. The workers involved would once again like to thank everybody for the tremendous support. The fact that so many people from around the country have supported the campaign has been a real boost and has made us more determined than ever to force the owner to repay the wages he has stolen.