Courts act againsi union officers
Socialist Organiser1981 1981-11-26Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 14 →
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YET another instance of the courts being used against the organised labour movement was highlighted at the Liverpool Trades Council meeting on November 20.
The Trades Council gave its unanimous support to the TGWU 6/541 (Commercial Drivers) Branch in its fight on an issue which could have serious implications for the whole of the trade union movement.
The case concerned injunctions obtained by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company against five members of the branch and were issued as a result of the blockade of the Seaforth Docks complex during the summer.
The injunction against the Branch chairperson, secretary, two Branch EC members and the full-time official effectively prevent them trom • entering the docks premises to perform any union business. The company is also claiming £ 200,000 damages.
Most disturbingly, though, the company did not use the 1980 Employment Act. Instead the injunction was taken out under the law of private nuisance. When the injunction was originally granted the defence lawyer pointed out that such a decision would have the possible effect of making • any and every picket illegal.
There are many in the branch who strongly suspect that because of the potential of these injunctions, the company is being backed by Aims of Industry or similar bodies.
Although the appeal is due to be heard. in London within the next two months, the union's legal section have been extremely reluctant to provide any support despite a recent call from the No. 6 Regional Committee:
The 6/541 branch is next due to meet on December 13 by which time a date may well have been set for the appeal. Hopefully, the union's legal aid section will have, by then, guaranteed every possible support.