Rolls Royce: strike against victimisation

Submitted by Anon on 16 August, 2005 - 10:27

By Doug Russell

On 3 August 95 test engineers at Rolls-Royce’s Filton plant in Bristol received ballot papers on whether to strike over the dispute resulting from the sacking of their Amicus convenor Jerry Hicks.

Jerry Hicks has been a long-time union organiser at the plant, but is now being victimised after a three-day strike in June which successfully defended two fitters from being dismissed.

Ian Waddell, Amicus’ national officer for the aerospace industry, said that “it’s difficult to see the dismissal as anything other than a cynical ploy to attack workers and the union”. Indeed, it seems possible that any strike (which could start as early as 17 August) could spread, after Amicus convenors representing over 70,000 members offered their support to Hicks.

An Interim Relief Hearing of the Bristol Employment Tribunal on 5 August ruled in Hicks’ favour, stating that it was “probable that Mr Hicks was dismissed on trade union grounds”. The tribunal also attacked the bosses for their failure “to conduct a proper investigation into the allegations leading to his dismissal”.

Although Rolls-Royce refused to reinstate him to his old job as full-time AMICUS convenor at the site, the tribunal made a continuation order which entitles Jerry Hicks to normal pay (backdated to his dismissal) until a full hearing which will be held within the next six months.

Rolls-Royce’s claims that a walkout in defence of Filton workers constituted “gross misconduct” come at a time of success for the corporation, which earlier this year announced a 21% leap in profits and a £65 million contract with the Ministry of Defence.

Their plan is clearly to crush union organisation and so exclude Rolls-Royce workers from reaping the benefits of this success. They must rally round and take action to stop the bosses from succeeding in this agenda - and the entire labour movement should take up Hicks’ cause.

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