Emyr Gibson stars in S4C drama about Friction Dynamics strike

Welsh actor Emyr Gibson plays a factory worker in Y Streic Fawr, a three-part S4C drama about the long-running Friction Dynamics strike near Caernarfon. Former employees who experienced the dispute helped shape the production and appear as extras.

The first episode is scheduled to be broadcast on S4C at 9pm on Sunday, 6 December. The series is also due to become available on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer from that date. Filming took place in the Caernarfon area earlier this year.

Gibson plays Ifan Wyn, a worker on the picket line. Gibson said the characters were based on several people because it was not possible to represent every worker involved.

The drama, written by Ffion Dafis and directed by Huw Chiswell, follows the dispute’s effects on families, friendships and the wider community. It is produced by Mojo Productions.

Gibson recalled driving past the factory gates during the strike, which began in 2001, and sounding his horn in support of the picketers. He said meeting former workers during filming gave him a clearer understanding of what they had experienced. Former employees also took part in preparing the storyline and a script read-through; some appeared in a scene depicting the decision to end the strike.

The dispute began at the Friction Dynamics factory at Griffiths Crossing, near Caernarfon. Workers went on strike in April 2001 over pay cuts and worsening working conditions. After returning from an initial strike, they refused to sign new contracts, were locked out and were later dismissed.

An employment tribunal in Liverpool in October 2002 found the workers had been unfairly dismissed. No compensation was paid after the company called in receivers. More than 100 people were involved in the dispute at its start, and 86 took part in the tribunal proceedings, according to Gibson.

The factory opened as Ferodo in 1962 and made brake parts for the motoring industry. It was acquired by American businessman Craig Smith in 1997 and later renamed Friction Dynamics. The site is now derelict; plans to clear it and build a data centre have recently been unveiled.

The cast includes Rhodri Trefor as Tom Jones, known locally as Tommy Union. Trefor had worked at Ferodo and served as a shop steward before becoming a full-time officer for the Transport and General Workers’ Union in North Wales. Gruffudd Glyn plays Gerald Parry, one of the workers’ main spokesmen during the strike, while Rhys ap Trefor portrays John Davis, whose case was selected to represent workers at the tribunal.

Producer Llyr Morus, who grew up in Caeathro near Caernarfon, said former employees had entrusted Mojo Productions with telling the story. He said the dispute’s consequences could still be felt in the area, where families, friendships and communities had been divided.

The production received support from the Welsh Government through Creative Wales. Gibson also works as a creative practitioner at Bryn Seiont Newydd care home in Caernarfon, where he said he enjoys spending time with residents and taking part in singing sessions.

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