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Has unofficial action gone?

28th July 1972, Page 15
28th July 1972
Page 15
Page 15, 28th July 1972 — Has unofficial action gone?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Wednesday proved to be a momentous day in the history of British industrial relations. The Law Lords reversed the Appeal Court decision and declared that the unions were responsible for the actions of their members. At the same time the Official Solicitor intervened once again on behalf of the dockers.

If it could have been a more momentous day, one man might have made it so. Jack Jones, general secretary of the TGWU, lost an opportunity of becoming the hero of the day and ensuring himself a place in political and industrial history. He failed to grasp the chance presented to him by the Lords at 12.30 pm.

It was at this time that their Lordships placed the onus for the TGWU stewards' actions on his shoulders and simultaneously it was made known that the Official Solicitor's intervention in the NIRC on behalf of TGWU shop stewards — the jailed dockers — would not be presented until three hours later. Mr Jones could have forestalled the Solicitor's action if he had made hot foot for the court and apologized on behalf of the dockers as he was then legally entitled, if not morally bound, to do. He chose to wait and see what the outcome would be.

This wait and see attitude is at the root of the present TGWU troubles. For 10 years now the port employers, TGWU officials and dockers have been watching containerization develop and general cargo diminish. Yet it is only when the rank and file take what was once described as unofficial action that the interested parties get round the table to produce a workable solution, and then only at the instigation of the Government.

One question must be troubling Mr Jones and other union officials. After the Lords' decision can any strike action now rightfully be called "unofficial" or will unions now find themselves dipping into their already depleted funds to pay largesse to the members every time a steward calls a strike?

Tags

Organisations: Appeal Court
People: Jack Jones

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