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BA caterers ask court to limit demonstrators in sacking protest

Jason N. Parkinson | 21.08.2005 11:48 | Social Struggles | London

From today's Guardian - in brief section, UK news.

 http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1553421,00.html

"Embattled airline catering firm Gate Gourmet will today find out whether it can limit the numbers of demonstrators protesting at the sacking of hundreds of workers after a High Court judgment. The company claims its staff are being intimidated and wants the picket of its Heathrow operations cut to 10 people. Former staff, whose dismissal led to a wildcat British Airways sympathy strike last week causing chaos for thousands of passengers, have turned out in their hundreds. The firm wants an injunction to prevent what it describes as 'assaulting, threatening, intimidating, molesting or otherwise abusing employees', allegations that union spokesman, Brendan Gold, has described as 'completely ridiculous'."

If this passes and Gate Gourmet are allowed to restrict the size of demonstration against them, this will open a massive precident for all corporations to control the size of public opposition against them.

It will also show who, under the government's SOCPB, has the power to control protests - those who the protests are directed against.

Keep an eye on this.

Jason N. Parkinson
- e-mail: nixon@vault.securewebhosting.net
- Homepage: http://www.reprogrammingthedesensitised.com