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Numbers on the line
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Kennyboy
- Posts: 18
- Joined: 23 Jun 2007, 11:46
Numbers on the line
As a new rep I'm looking for the correct numbers we can have on the picket line on Friday. People are saying six but I thought that was just for a wildcat strike ? This is my first time on the site and would just like to say HI folks and lets keep together on this on
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TrueBlueTerrier
- FORUM ADMINISTRATOR
- Posts: 72434
- Joined: 30 Dec 2006, 10:29
- Gender: Male
- Location: On my couch
Hello and Welcome Kenny
Just got this from a website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ ... G_10027549
What is picketing?
Picketing is where workers involved in industrial action attend a workplace to increase support for their cause by communicating information or persuading others not to work or not to carry out a part of their contracts of employment. Industrial action takes place when workers refuse to carry out a part of their contracts of employment.
A picket line is the description given to those who gather outside or near the entrance of the workplace. These include striking workers, workers locked out by their employer and trade union representatives. The targets of a picket line's activities may be non-striking colleagues, substitute workers or suppliers of the employer.
If you're thinking of joining a picket line, you should ask your union for advice.
* Find out more about industrial action
* Read the DTI Code of Practice on Picketing (opens new window)
Civil law and picketing
You can lawfully join a picket line as long as the picketing is:
* connected to a trade dispute which you are involved in
* carried out at or near your own workplace
* carried out peacefully
If any of the above doesn't apply, an employer may be able to sue you or your union for damages under civil law. If the employer threatens to take action against you, you should ask a solicitor for advice. Your union will have one that can act on your behalf.
Secondary picketing
If you're a worker on a picket line in dispute with your employer, you can peacefully try to persuade workers who aren't affected to support you. For example, you may try to persuade lorry drivers from a different employer not to deliver supplies. This also applies to trade union representatives lawfully present on a picket line.
However, it's unlawful to picket other companies' premises whose workers are not in dispute. For example, if you are on strike you should not go to your employer's customers' premises to encourage their workers not to handle your employers goods. Picketing of this kind is called 'secondary picketing'.
Picketing activities shouldn't interfere with workers not connected with a dispute who use the same entrance as those on strike. For example, if you work in an office block shared by different firms, you shouldn't try to picket workers from the other firms.
Criminal law and picketing
It's a criminal offence for pickets to:
* use threatening or abusive words or behave in a threatening manner towards others passing close by the picket line
* get in the way of other people attempting to enter or leave premises being picketed
* be in possession of an offensive weapon
* damage property, either deliberately or recklessly
* cause or threaten to cause a breach of the peace
There may be police present at a picket line. The police can take any measures they feel are necessary to ensure that picketing is peaceful and orderly.
Mass picketing
The chance of civil and criminal offences is higher when there is mass picketing. If there are 20 or more people on a picket line, the police can use special powers if its likely to cause serious public disorder or serious damage to property.
If the police are concerned that there's a threat to the safety of others, they can order those picketing to stop and may arrest those not complying. Its recommended that there should be no more than six pickets outside an entrance.
Crossing a picket line
You have the right to cross a picket line if you don't support the industrial action being taken. If you're a union member and you're disciplined by your union for crossing a picket line, you can complain to an Employment Tribunal.
If you're being threatened by colleagues for crossing a picket line, you should report the behaviour to the police.
If you haven't been able to cross a picket line, you need to convince your employer that you did everything reasonably possible to do so. If your employer considers you didn't make every effort, they may decide that you have joined the industrial action. This means they don't have to pay you. Your trade union should be able to provide you with guidance on your legal obligations whilst picketing.
* Advice on resolving a problem at work
* Find out about Employment Tribunals
Where to get help
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues. You can call the Acas helpline on 08457 47 47 47 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.
* Acas (opens new window)
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can provide free and impartial advice. You can find your local CAB office in the phone book or online.
* Find your local Citizens Advice Bureau (opens new window)
If you are a member of a trade union you can get help, advice and support from them
* More about trade unions
More useful links
* Detailed guidance on trade unions and collective rights from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) (opens new window)
* Read the DTI Code of Practice on Picketing (opens new window)
* Read more about trade unions from the TUC (opens new window)
* Advice on industrial disputes from Business Link (opens new window)
What is picketing?
Picketing is where workers involved in industrial action attend a workplace to increase support for their cause by communicating information or persuading others not to work or not to carry out a part of their contracts of employment. Industrial action takes place when workers refuse to carry out a part of their contracts of employment.
A picket line is the description given to those who gather outside or near the entrance of the workplace. These include striking workers, workers locked out by their employer and trade union representatives. The targets of a picket line's activities may be non-striking colleagues, substitute workers or suppliers of the employer.
If you're thinking of joining a picket line, you should ask your union for advice.
* Find out more about industrial action
* Read the DTI Code of Practice on Picketing (opens new window)
Civil law and picketing
You can lawfully join a picket line as long as the picketing is:
* connected to a trade dispute which you are involved in
* carried out at or near your own workplace
* carried out peacefully
If any of the above doesn't apply, an employer may be able to sue you or your union for damages under civil law. If the employer threatens to take action against you, you should ask a solicitor for advice. Your union will have one that can act on your behalf.
Secondary picketing
If you're a worker on a picket line in dispute with your employer, you can peacefully try to persuade workers who aren't affected to support you. For example, you may try to persuade lorry drivers from a different employer not to deliver supplies. This also applies to trade union representatives lawfully present on a picket line.
However, it's unlawful to picket other companies' premises whose workers are not in dispute. For example, if you are on strike you should not go to your employer's customers' premises to encourage their workers not to handle your employers goods. Picketing of this kind is called 'secondary picketing'.
Picketing activities shouldn't interfere with workers not connected with a dispute who use the same entrance as those on strike. For example, if you work in an office block shared by different firms, you shouldn't try to picket workers from the other firms.
Criminal law and picketing
It's a criminal offence for pickets to:
* use threatening or abusive words or behave in a threatening manner towards others passing close by the picket line
* get in the way of other people attempting to enter or leave premises being picketed
* be in possession of an offensive weapon
* damage property, either deliberately or recklessly
* cause or threaten to cause a breach of the peace
There may be police present at a picket line. The police can take any measures they feel are necessary to ensure that picketing is peaceful and orderly.
Mass picketing
The chance of civil and criminal offences is higher when there is mass picketing. If there are 20 or more people on a picket line, the police can use special powers if its likely to cause serious public disorder or serious damage to property.
If the police are concerned that there's a threat to the safety of others, they can order those picketing to stop and may arrest those not complying. Its recommended that there should be no more than six pickets outside an entrance.
Crossing a picket line
You have the right to cross a picket line if you don't support the industrial action being taken. If you're a union member and you're disciplined by your union for crossing a picket line, you can complain to an Employment Tribunal.
If you're being threatened by colleagues for crossing a picket line, you should report the behaviour to the police.
If you haven't been able to cross a picket line, you need to convince your employer that you did everything reasonably possible to do so. If your employer considers you didn't make every effort, they may decide that you have joined the industrial action. This means they don't have to pay you. Your trade union should be able to provide you with guidance on your legal obligations whilst picketing.
* Advice on resolving a problem at work
* Find out about Employment Tribunals
Where to get help
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues. You can call the Acas helpline on 08457 47 47 47 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.
* Acas (opens new window)
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can provide free and impartial advice. You can find your local CAB office in the phone book or online.
* Find your local Citizens Advice Bureau (opens new window)
If you are a member of a trade union you can get help, advice and support from them
* More about trade unions
More useful links
* Detailed guidance on trade unions and collective rights from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) (opens new window)
* Read the DTI Code of Practice on Picketing (opens new window)
* Read more about trade unions from the TUC (opens new window)
* Advice on industrial disputes from Business Link (opens new window)
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ROCKY
- Posts: 2801
- Joined: 03 Dec 2006, 13:18
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baldrick
- EX ROYAL MAIL
- Posts: 5036
- Joined: 13 Sep 2007, 23:37
- Gender: Male
Re: Numbers on the line
Hi Kenny, and welcome.Kennyboy wrote:As a new rep I'm looking for the correct numbers we can have on the picket line on Friday. People are saying six but I thought that was just for a wildcat strike ? This is my first time on the site and would just like to say HI folks and lets keep together on this on
There are no legal limits on the number of pickets. It usually depends on how difficult your local police want to be, and that may depend on how difficult your local managers want them to be.
The TUC picketting guidelines suggest six pickets. We have often had a lot more than six people outside our Mail Centre during disputes. The police are not usually bothered as we behave ourselves, but if they do query the numbers we say that only six are official pickets (with armbands) and the others are only standing around to see what is happening.
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catch
- Posts: 202
- Joined: 16 Jul 2007, 20:40
Re: Numbers on the line
I visited a picket of cleaners down at Whipps Cross Hospital - and there were up to 50 or 60 at any one time sometimes with no trouble from the police.
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POSTMAN
- SITE ADMINISTRATOR
- Posts: 32640
- Joined: 07 Aug 2006, 03:19
- Gender: Male
Re: Numbers on the line
Depends on your DUM,if he's funny he could call the old bill.catch wrote:I visited a picket of cleaners down at Whipps Cross Hospital - and there were up to 50 or 60 at any one time sometimes with no trouble from the police.
They done it to us a few years ago,we just made the policemen tea
I Wrote-During Covid-Which is still relevant now
It's good to get these types of threads, the ridiculous my manager said bollox, so we can reassure ourselves that while the world is falling apart, Royal Mail managers are still being the low-life C***S they have always been.
My BFF Clash
The daily grind of having to argue your case with an intellectual pigmy of a line manager is physically and emotionally draining.
It's good to get these types of threads, the ridiculous my manager said bollox, so we can reassure ourselves that while the world is falling apart, Royal Mail managers are still being the low-life C***S they have always been.
My BFF Clash
The daily grind of having to argue your case with an intellectual pigmy of a line manager is physically and emotionally draining.
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catch
- Posts: 202
- Joined: 16 Jul 2007, 20:40
Re: Numbers on the line
Well yeah, the police can ask you to reduce the numbers, but there's no sanctions for having a lot of people on the picket in the first place.POSTMAN wrote: Depends on your DUM,if he's funny he could call the old bill.
They done it to us a few years ago,we just made the policemen tea