“Peugeot boycott radio ad gagged by unjust law” say
unions
Embargoed until 00.01 10th July 2007
Plans by Amicus and T&G to extend the Peugeot
boycott campaign to the airwaves have been dashed by a law that
specifically forbids trade unions from mentioning employers or
industrial disputes.
The radio ad, featuring the familiar voices of actors, Gary
Webster (Minder), Alan McKenna (starting in Eastenders soon), Phil
Middlemiss (Corre and Where the Heart is) and Nicola Duffett
(Eastenders and Family Affairs), would have had a similar theme to
the posters and newspaper ads which ask car buyers to “Think of
England” and support the sacked Peugeot workers.
Section 15 of the Radio Advertising Standards code limits
trade unions to advertising their services to members and expressly
prevents them from making statements about disputes or from stating
facts about employers.
The ad that was to run four times a day on various independent
radio stations throughout August will now never see the light of
day.
The unions are pledged to step up their campaign against the
closure of Peugeot’s Ryton plant with a day of action on Saturday
15th July. Trade union members will demonstrate and distribute
leaflets outside Peugeot dealerships up and down the country.
Amicus General Secretary Derek Simpson said,
“It is outrageous that trade unions are prevented
from explaining to the public the simple fact that Peugeot have
sacked 2,000 people from a profitable plant in the Coventry in
search of ever greater profits by exploiting low wages in Eastern
Europe.
“We want to give consumers who are interested in
making ethical car purchases the information they need to do
this. They need to know how Peugeot have behaved but we can’t
tell them. Amicus will raise this injustice with the
government at the highest level.”
T&G General Secretary Tony Woodley said,
“The public need to know
we are fighting back with our members in Peugeot against the
closure of a profitable car plant. They need to know the unions
have put forward positive plans to save the factory which Peugeot
has ignored. And the public need to know there is support from
industry experts and, now, show business for our campaign. The law
has gagged us from saying this on the radio, but we’ll say it all
the same.”
-ends-
Further information call Richard O’Brien Amicus 07768
931 320
T&G Press Office on 020 7611
2550/49
Notes to editors:
Section 15 of the Radio Advertising standards Code
Political, Industrial and Public Controversy
The setting of standards and investigations of
complaints in relation to political advertising has not been
contracted out to BCAP and the ASA and remain matters for Ofcom.
The ASA refers complaints about political advertising to
Ofcom.
The effect of the Communications Act is to require
Ofcom to ensure that:
a) No advertisement shows undue partiality in matters
of political or industrial controversy or relating to current
public policy; and
b) No advertisement is broadcast by, or on behalf of,
any body whose objects are wholly or mainly of a political nature,
and no advertisement is directed towards any political
end.
Ofcom will determine whether an ad or a proposed ad is
‘political’. The term ‘political’ here is used in a wider sense
than ‘party political’. The prohibition includes, for example,
issue campaigning for the purposes of influencing legislation or
executive action by local, or national (including foreign)
governments.
Particular care is required where advertising mentions any
government, political party, political movement or state-specific
abuse, so as not to break the spirit of these rules, which are
intended to prohibit lobbying or electioneering on politically
controversial or partisan issues.
c) No advertisement has any relation to any industrial
dispute (other than an advertisement of a public service nature
inserted by, or on behalf of, a government
department).
Ofcom will normally regard having ‘any relation to any
industrial dispute’ to be in furtherance of, or expressing
partiality in relation to, such a dispute. Announcements about
resumption of normal working following agreement between management
and unions, or concerned with public safety during a strike, are
acceptable. ‘Industrial dispute’ includes strikes, walkouts and
withdrawals of labour by workers; lock-outs by employers; disputes
between managements and differences between rival trade
unions.
Trade Unions may advertise, provided the advertising
is not politically or industrially contentious. They may recruit
members and also promote the services they provide, such as legal
advice, insurance and meetings. They may not advertise for support
in a ballot, nor refer to particular employers.
