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Prevention of Terrorism Act being used against Blacklisted workers

Northern Voices | 17.10.2009 19:10 | Repression | Workers' Movements | World

The main contractor at Fiddler's Ferry power station in Cheshire is seeking an injunction under the Prevention of Terrorism Act to prevent blacklisted workers from picketing the site.

A hearing is pending in the Royal Courts of Justice, London, on Wednesday 21st October at 10.30am, at which a company is applying for an injunction against Steve Acheson, one of the 3 electricians in the class legal action blacklist case against companies affiliated to Ian Kerr's Consulting Association, & also Sec. of the Unite/EPIU Manchester Contracting Branch: this is an injunction sought by the company (main contractor) at Fiddlers Ferry.

This injunction is being brought under the Prevention of Terrorism Act & seeks to show that Steve, as the 1st respondent, & others unnamed [as second respondents], by their constant picketing of the site represent "a threat to the energy supplies of this country". Because this application is being brought under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Steve will not be able to defend himself at this hearing, as we understand it. The basis of the application is that by picketing the site he is committing a Trespass because he & others are on the Firm's property; that having issued leaflets to workers on the site calling for 'direct action' he is 'inciting' the workforce to commit acts contrary to the national interest which may impact on energy supplies & that he has, at times, acted in a way that might have intimidated the workforce. There is no mention in the company's deposition to the Court that he was formerly employed by them, nor that his picket represents a campaign against blacklisting. One senior trade union leader in the RMT has already said that if this goes ahead it will have consequences for the whole trade union movement.

Northern Voices
- e-mail: northernvoices@hotmail.com
- Homepage: http://northernvoicesmag.blogspot.com/

Additions

Clarification

20.10.2009 20:19

We have now confirmed with the parties concerned that the relevant legislation is the Terrorism Act 2000.

See -  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism_Act_2000

Northern Voices
mail e-mail: northernvoicesmag@gmail.com
- Homepage: http://northernvoicesmag.blogspot.com


Comments

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Surely NOT the "Prevention of Terrorism Act" -- that is for Control Orders

18.10.2009 00:30

Please clarify, you surely cannot mean the "Prevention of Terrorism Act" - the old temporary ones were replaced 9 years ago by the Terrorism Act 2000.

There is a Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005, but that deals with the house arrest / arbitrary bail like conditions for unconvicted terrorist suspects subjected to Control Orders.

There is also the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 201, the Terrorism Act 2006 and the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008

See  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism_Acts

puzzled