From Picket Lines to Pipe Lines

John McKinsie Jones' autobiography is incisive, compelling and moving. Born into a north Wales working-class family in 1947, his description of his family and their aspirations differ considerably from what he was to experience and endure. It provides a window into post-war Flint and surrounding areas: the housing, the pubs, the jobs and the landmarks that were John's playground as he grew up.

He describes life as a Royal Navy cadet and his struggle to adjust to life back home after a year away in Portsmouth, finding work in a succession of factories and the omnipresent Shotton steelworks. Alongside work he discovered play, being introduced to the local dance halls of north Wales where John met his future wife, Rita and learned to jive.

During his second stint of employment at Shotton, John obtained work with the resident industrial on-site painting contractor from whom he not only learned about industrial coatings but also about conflict with employers. This led him to unionise his colleagues, who elected him as their shop steward.

John was one of the 'Shrewsbury 24' building workers from north Wales who travelled by coach to picket in Shropshire during the national building workers' strike in 1972. It led, unjustly, to him being found guilty of conspiracy, affray and unlawful assembly alongside Des Warren and Ricky Tomlinson, who have both written books about their experiences. John's recollections contrast, in a number of important ways, from that of his former colleagues.

John used his skills as an industrial painter, which he learned at Shotton, to embark on a new path when steelmaking ceased and he and his colleagues were made redundant. John became an expert in the complex work of industrial coating, primarily in the petrochemical onshore and offshore pipelines and fittings . His knowledge and problem-solving skills were in demand by leading oil and gas companies, which took him throughout the UK and later to Killybegs in Ireland as well as Singapore, South Korea, Germany, the Netherlands, France,  Italy, Middle East and the USA.

John concludes the book on a joyous note, with his involvement in the campaign to clear his name, which culminated in the Court of Appeal quashing all the pickets' convictions in 2021.