UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Friday 18 December 2009

On balloting Labour has failed the trade union movement - BA injunction shows real nature of anti union laws‏

12700 workers
92.5% yes vote
80% turnout
1 judge

A strike by UNITE members employed as cabin crew by British Airways which was planned for Christmas has been declared illegal in a High Court ruling. The judge agreed with BA that Unite, had not balloted its members on the strike action in accordance with trade union legislation. The injunction means that the 12-day strike cannot now go ahead.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8418805.stm

The solitary High Court judge set aside the overwhelming strike mandate because some workers who had accepted voluntary redundancy were sent ballot papers. Even though the numbers involved would have had no material effect on the ballot outcome even if they had all voted for strike action.

Leaving intact the repressive industrial action balloting regime bequeathed by the Conservative Party surely ranks as an historical failure by the 1997 to 2010 Labour Government.

http://m.guardian.co.uk/?id=102202&story=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/17/ba-strike-injunction

For background to the dispute read:
http://www.socialistunity.com/?p=4994