Strikers continue to man the picket line

Friction Dynamex owner Craig Smith dismissed 86 workers after they went on strike at the Caernarfon car parts factory over work and pay conditions two years ago.

The strikers won their case for unfair dismissal against him at an industrial tribunal, although Mr Smith has since been given leave to appeal against the decision.

But staff who decided not to go on strike now fear the factory will close, leading to the loss of more than 100 jobs, if the boss loses his appeal.

Bad

Gareth Jones has worked at the factory since 1966, and says that although he is coming to the end of his working life, he wants the factory to remain open for the younger work force.

"There is no other work here." he said.

I don't lose sleep over the picketers, but I do lose sleep over the future of the place Worker Gareth Jones

"It makes you feel bad to pass the picketers every day."

"Some will wave to you, some will turn their backs, these are people you have known for many years." he said.

"I don't lose sleep over the picketers, but I do lose sleep over the future of the place. I want to keep it open."

The workers say that it was the choice of the picketers to strike, and it was their choice to try to keep the place open and carry on contributing to the local economy.

Mr Rossiter has worked at the factory for two years and said the future is his main concern.

"Is it going to close down? If so are the politicians going to do anything to help. That is why we are here now,"he said.

The workers said they felt that the people inside the factory had been forgotten as the battle had become a personal one against Craig Smith.

Selfish

We've lost our livelihood over this! Striker Gerald Parry

Gerald Parry from Caernarfon has been on the picket line since the dispute began, and says those working at the plant are being selfish.

He said they could not expect them to drop their claim against Craig Smith in order to save their jobs.

"We've lost our livelihood over this! Are we just going to drop the claim, just like that, so Craig Smith doesn't close the factory?" he said.

"It makes me angry. They've got their jobs and we've been without money for two years now," he added.

He is also worried that if the workers do lose their jobs tension could increase between them.

"I hope it doesn't close, but we've got our claim and we're sticking by it."