‘Tremendous support’

One’s of Liverpool’s most popular indie bands will hold a free gig to raise to raise money for striking Cammell Laird ship workers.

The Tea Street Band have added an extra date to their country-wide tour to debute their new album Frequency this Friday (December 7) in New Brighton, Liverpool, in support of Cammell Laird staff fighting for their jobs.

Carl Thomas is the director of the Marine Street Social, where the gig will be held.

He said, “When we were approached to host this event it was a no-brainer for us, and the lads in Tea Street Band jumped at the chance to take part. Everyone knows someone who works in the yard and this cause means a lot to a lot of people on Merseyside.

‘Great night’

“It’s going to be a great night, in aid of a great cause, and what’s more tickets are free. We encourage as many people to come along and get behind the shipbuilders.”

There is growing support across Merseyside and the Wirral for Cammell Laird workers who are currently involved in a series of rolling strikes as part of a ten week programme of industrial action over plans to slash the workforce by 40 per cent.

Workers are angry over Cammell Laird’s ‘unnecessary’ job cuts which will see 291 jobs axed by March 2019, despite the shipyard recently winning two contracts worth a total of £619m to support and maintain ships for the Royal Navy.

Liverpool and Everton supporters showed their support to the striking workers during this weekend’s derby match at Anfield.

Footballs fans from both teams held banners reading “save jobs at Cammell Laird” and “turn the tide on casualisation” and donated to the workers’ strike fund during a bucket collection (see main pic).

During the game a group of supporters also unfurled a banner saying “jobs for Lairds not profit for Peel”, the owners of Merseyside docks.

Unite regional officer Ross Quinn said, “Our members are taking a stand in defence of their jobs and livelihoods because these redundancies are unnecessary.

“The outpouring of support has been tremendous and shows that they are not on their own in this fight to save jobs and the future of this shipyard.”

‘Scouse solidarity’

Commenting on the Tea Street Band gig, Quinn said, “It’s great to have Tea Street Band on board with our campaign supporting workers and their families at Cammell Laird during this difficult time.

“They’re showing true ‘scouse solidarity’ by donating any money raised on the evening to help our members. Let’s make sure we get a great turnout for our members on the night.”

Tickets for the gig at the Marine Street Social, Kings Parade, Marine Point, New Brighton (CH45 2PB), are available free via Skiddle, with all donations on the door going to the Cammell Laird strike fund.

To donate to the fighting fund directly click here.