Des Warren

Who was Des Warren?

Des Warren was a British construction worker, trade union activist and – with Ricky Tomlinson – one of the 'Shrewsbury Two' imprisoned for 'conspiracy to intimidate' whilst picketing in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, during 1972. His autobiography, The Key To My Cell, put forward his version of events, and what he considered 'the real conspiracy' to intimidate the trade union movement.

Warren was regarded as an energetic strike leader. As well as his work setting up pickets and speaking at union rallies and conferences, he demanded a minimum wage and campaigned to put an end to "the lump" — a practice prevalent on non-unionized building sites, whereby the employee surrendered their employment rights in return for a cash lump sum with no tax or insurance deducted.

His death in 2004 from Parkinson's Disease has been linked with the long-term effects of the treatment he received during his incarceration, in particular the 'liquid cosh' – a cocktail of tranquilisers administered to inmates.

On 4 July 2009, a march was organised in Shrewsbury, by the local trades council and the Justice for Pickets campaign, starting from the Abbey, and finishing at the Lord Hill's Column, where the demonstrators were addressed by several speakers.