ANTHANY FALL, 66
1974: Sub-Assembly Line Worker
After the strike: Warehouse Driver
Today: Retired
Going from a grammar school education to the multi-racial Imperial factory floor, Anthany took the chance to learn about different cultures. He is a wonderful example of how one can respond to new arrivals with curiosity and interest rather than fear and anger.
BALBIR KAUR, 65
1974: Press Worker
Today: Part-time Hosiery Machinist
Balbir carried her experience of the strike at the Imperial throughout her life. She strongly believes that workers should be united as one collective voice, and worries that this is more difficult for younger generations today.
DENIS WYCHERLEY, 72
1974: Assembly Line Worker
After the strike: Delivery Driver
Today: Retired
Although Denis did not really understand how the strike began, he supposes it must have taken a lot of courage. He still feels that there is a lack of community cohesion in Leicester, and wishes that there was wider interaction between the city's diverse communities.
ERIC HUDSON MBE, 91
1974: Press Worker
After the strike: Founder member of the Jamaica Community Service Group
Today: Retired
Mr Hudson had a family to feed so did not join the strike. However, he says that if he'd realised that it was about pay, he would have done. The factory closure was a shock to him and his family, but he used the opportunity to enrol on a college course with the support of the Afro-Caribbean community in Leicester. His message to the younger generations is to unite and help one another.
GLORIANA DALEY, 79
1974: Assembly Line Worker
After the strike: Voluntary Committee Member, West Indian Senior Citizens Committee
Today: Retired
With a story of resilience, hard work, and spirit in the face of hardships, Gloria worked at the factory and opted not to strike for the sake of her children. But she was not quiet about the discrimination that she faced though, and often spoke out to stand up for herself. She encourages younger generations to have the courage to do the same.
GORDON TILLEY, 72
1974: Designer for Imperial Typewriters
After the strike: Design Consultant
With an aerial view of the factory floor, Gordon witnessed the division between white and Asian workers first-hand. He advises younger generations to keep moving forward as quickly as you can and says Imperial closed because it didn't keep up with the times.
GULAMABBAS KHIMJI, 67
1974: Assembly Line Worker
After the strike: Royal Mail Revenue Protection Officer
Today: Retired
Gulamabbas has built a life in Leicester through sheer hard work. His decision to not strike was a difficult one. Though he understood the position of the strikers, he himself needed to work.
HEATHER RAWLING, 66
1974: Leicester student who supported the strike
Today: Residential Care Worker
Heather was a local student who was interested in politics and actively anti-racist. She was inspired by the Asian women strikers. Her message to the younger generations is: United, we are strong. Divided we are weak. Workers and students of all ages should organise to end discrimination and poverty.
ISHVAR ROHIT, 74
1974: Charge Hand Sprayer
After the strike: Semi-skilled Aerospace Engineer
Today: Retired
With an affinity for community and hard work, the factory meant a lot to Ishvar. He decided to protest against discrimination others experienced, despite the risk of being blacklisted as a striker.
LALIT SUDRA, 74
1974: Typewriter Aligner
After the strike: Service Station Manager
Today: Retired
Lalit and his friends were working at the Imperial Typewriter Company when management heard of their musical expertise and encouraged them to form an Indian musical group. They had a great time playing musical instruments, composing songs, and entertaining the staff.
LALITA MISTRY, 71
1974: Assembly Line Worker
After the strike: Electronic Circuit Board Maker
Today: Retired
Lalita found a voice in this country during the strike, and also grew in courage and resilience. She learned to stand up for herself and encourages younger generations to do the same.
LEO ISMAIL, 64
1974: Assembly Line Worker
Today: Local Authority Housing Support
Worker
Despite being only 18 at the time, Leo understood how racism manifested itself within the factory. He joined the strike from the very beginning to fight for equality and was a striker right through until the end.
MOHINDER FARMA, 79 & DYAL BAGRI, 78
1974 to present: Indian Workers Association
Long-term leaders of the Leicester Indian Workers Association, Mohinder Singh Farma and Diyal Singh Bagri are committed to workers' struggles and pushing back against racist violence locally, nationally, and internationally. They want younger generations to have the confidence to "get political."
MR CHANDULAL KARSANDAS THOBHANI, 78 & MRS INDIRA CHANDULAL THOBHANI, 72
1974: Assembly Line Workers
After the strike: Business Owners
Today: Retired
Mr and Mrs. Thobhani formed part of the Ugandan Asian community that arrived in the early 1970s and built up Leicester's famous Golden Mile area. Their community's success made the Leicester Council of 1974 rue the day they put an ad in the Ugandan Argus newspaper telling Indians not to come to Leicester. They joined the strike because others in their community were doing the same. They built a good closure.
PRABHA PANKHANIA, 65
1974: Office Worker
Today: Revenue Officer
Prabha did not join the strike because she needed to work to survive. When times got tough and crossing the picket line was difficult, she told herself she was "doing the right thing".
RAJ SURANI, 72
1974: Assembly Line Worker
Today: Business Owner
Raj found himself "standing up like a rock" against injustice during the strike. He has since passed his principles down to his daughters, and encourages younger generations to have a sense of self-belief.
