Forty years ago, the great queue for a loaf was on as 26,000 workers at big bakeries began a strike over pay.

Queues had started forming outside bread shops soon after dawn in some areas.

According to the Bakers Union general secretary Sam Maddox, the strike could be a “long drawn-out battle.” Talks had broken down because employers were not willing to bring another offer to the table.

It seemed the strike had gone ahead in three of Bradford’s main bakeries despite a fair amount of opposition to action among Bakers’ Union Members.

Atthe RHM Bakeries (Northern) Ltd., Almond Bakery, Gain Lane, Thornbury, pickets were out in force. Some employees had turned up not knowing whether they should try to go into work or not.

Mr. Bill Molloy, regional officer of the Bakers’ Union, said the action had 100 per cent support. Management and clerical staff had gone into the bakery, but all other members of the Bakers Union had withdrawn their labour.

The offer made to the union would give the lowest paid worker a new basic wage of £45.67, including a supplement of £3.65.

However, despite Mr. Molloy’s assurance that with common sense there should be enough bread to go around, many people were taking no chances.

Five minutes before the Morrison’s supermarket in Mayo Avenue, Bankfoot, was due to open, a queue of about 50 people had already formed.

In the city centre customers had queued all the way down Broadway’s shopping precinct.