Decision removes obstacle to mechanical workers’ strike action

Unite leader: “We will leave no stone unturned to vindicate the right to take action”

January 28th: The Supreme Court has agreed to lift an interim High Court injunction obtained by HA O’Neil, part of the Jones Engineering Group, last March preventing Unite members continuing industrial action in pursuit of their claim for restoration of travel time. Unite had appealed last year’s High Court decision to the Supreme Court.  While the full judgement will not be available for some time, the union said that the decision last Wednesday to lift the injunction is good news not just for Unite members but for the wider trade union movement.  Unite also pointed out that the decision removes an obstacle to members in the mechanical sector taking strike action.

Commenting, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

“Once again, Unite has demonstrated that we will leave no stone unturned to vindicate our members’ fundamental right to take action to defend their jobs, pay and conditions.”

Unite regional coordinating officer Tom Fitzgerald added:

“For too long, employers have attempted to use the courts in order to prevent workers taking action to defend their living standards.  Although we’re still awaiting the full Supreme Court judgement, this decision is good news for the entire trade union movement.  It also removes an obstacle to Unite workers in the mechanical sector taking strike action. Employers must take note and engage with unions at the negotiating table, rather than attacking workers and their shop stewards in the courts.”