STORIES ROAD TRANSPORT/LEGAL WIN


Right to picket fight win


Unite won a key legal victory in February, overturning attempts to restrict the right to picket during strike action.


The legal case arose during a dispute involving Sutton Tanker workers based at Ellesmere Port. The 30 workers had been on strike over the company’s plan to dismiss and re-engage them on inferior terms and conditions, which would result in their pay being slashed.


During one strike day, Unite was given less than 30 minutes’ warning that Eastham Oil Refinery Ltd was in court seeking an injunction to prevent picketing in the area.


Unite eventually overturned the injunction and secured the right to picket at the entrances of the lorry park. The court confirmed the separate right to conduct lawful protests on the public highway.


“It was vital to preserve the right to picket during a lawful dispute,” said Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett. “If Unite had been unsuccessful the fundamental right of freedom of association would have been greatly restricted. I hope this defeat will persuade other companies not to try the same tactic in the future.”


Unite members have now overwhelmingly accepted a negotiated settlement.


Find out more HERE 8 uniteWORKS Spring 2018


TOP NEWS


OFFSHORE End Super Puma use call


Unite has charged up its campaign against the use of the Super Puma aircraft after dozens of North Sea fatalities over the last decade.


Since the most recent deaths in 2016, Super Puma helicopters in the North Sea had effectively been banned. But now, UK civil aviation authorities have lifted restrictions on the aircraft. While major oil companies have said they will not use the aircraft for now, the threat remains.


Unite’s petition calling for an end to


the Super Puma which has over 10,000 signatures. The union also triggered a debate in the Scottish Parliament late last year after lobbying Labour MSPs to table a motion on the issue.


“The workers on the rigs in the North Sea have totally lost confidence in the Super Puma,” said Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty. “Any attempt to force the return of the Super Pumas will be met with industrial action by Unite members if necessary.”


‘Thank you Harry’ – Unite sends birthday message


AUSTERITY FIGHTERS Find out more HERE Happy birthday Harry


Second World War veteran, best- selling author and anti-austerity activist Harry Leslie Smith celebrated his 95th birthday on February 25.


Harry, who has worked with Unite and the wider Labour movement on various campaigns, has most recently embarked on a mission to raise awareness of the plight of refugees in Europe and globally. Among other books, he is the author of his memoirs, Harry’s Last Stand, in which he makes


an impassioned plea for the defence of the NHS and the welfare state. Harry rose to fame in the UK after a rousing speech he gave at the Labour Party Conference in 2014.


Unite general secretary Len McCluskey congratulated Harry on his birthday. “You are an inspiration,” he said.


“You are for the many, never the few. Thank you for everything you do.”


Mark Thomas


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