The Court of Appeal has overturned the convictions of 14 men who picketed during the 1972 national builders’ strike, including Royle Family actor Ricky Tomlinson.
Two dozen trade unionists were charged with offences including unlawful assembly, conspiracy to intimidate and affray after calling a strike in protest against low pay, unfair employment practices and dangerous conditions on site.
They demonstrated on different sites and in September 1972 they picketed sites in Shrewsbury and Telford. While police did not take action at the time, the picketers were charged five months later.
Tomlinson, who was jailed for two years, was among 14 men who were convicted.
Lawyers representing the workers argued that their convictions were unsafe after witness statements were destroyed.
Warren Kenny, GMB acting general secretary, said: “It’s fantastic news that after nearly half a century of campaigning the convictions of the Shrewsbury 24 have finally been lifted.
“We pay tribute to those who were wrongly convicted and to the campaigners who have worked tirelessly to throw light on the collusion between the building industry and police.
“These pickets were prosecuted just because they had the audacity to ask for better working conditions and fair pay.”
