Welsh port injunction ‘undermines democratic process’, says
Unite
17 February 2010
A court injunction stopping a 48-hour strike by pilots at
Milford Haven, Wales’ largest port, has been condemned by Unite,
the country’s largest union, as ‘undermining the democratic
process’.
Milford Haven Port Authority has been granted a High Court
injunction to stop a strike involving about 50 pilots and launch
crew members from striking from tomorrow (Thursday, 18 February)
and on Friday.
Brendan Gold, Unite’s National Secretary for Docks and Waterways
said: ‘The fundamental issue here is the High Court intervening yet
again, as they did in the BA cabin crew dispute, to undermine our
members’ democratic decision to take industrial action.’
‘It is hugely frustrating going through the correct legal
procedures to call this action then to have the courts intervene to
block it. The courts are now actively intervening in industrial
relations’ disputes.’
Unite has now issued the employers with seven-days notice that
the pilots will stage a 12-hour strike on 23 February. They will
also start on 23 February an overtime ban and work-to-rule. (This
is to conform to the 28-day ‘window’ allowed for industrial
action.)
The dispute centres on changes to the pension scheme. The
company wants to move from a non-contributory scheme to a
contributory one; change the scheme from a final salary to a career
average one; and also raise the retirement age to 65 from 60.
Brendan Gold said: ‘Ironically, good progress has been made
during the talks with the port authority and the conciliation
service, ACAS on the retirement age and the type of scheme; however
the level of contributions and the accrual rates remain the
outstanding issues.’
He said: ‘We actually offered the port authority that we
would suspend action for up to 28 days to enable further
discussions, so that we can resolve this matter. Our door remains
firmly open for talks.’
-ends-
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS:
For further information, please ring: Brendan Gold 07970 081526;
Unite Regional Officer, Allan Card 07958 624499, Shaun Noble,
Communications Officer 020 7420 8951 or 07768 693
940
