T & G wins appeals
Page 15
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NOT LIABLE FOR SHOP STEWARDS' ACTIONS
• The Transport and General Workers Union was absolved from liability by the Appeal Court on Tuesday in the dockers' container dispute at Liverpool and Hull.
The court ruled that the union was not responsible for the actions cf its shop stewards at the ports in calling for blacking by union members of lorries of three. transport firms.
As a result of the decision of the three judges; fines totalling £55,000 which have been imposed upon the union by the National Industrial Relations Court will have to be repaid.
Altogether, the court allowed eight appeals by the union from decisions of the Industrial Court against them.
Costs of the court hearings are estimated at £50,000.
Lord Denning, Master of the Rolls, said: "The permanent members of the union were well aware of what was going on, but were powerless to prevent it. They did not turn a blind eye to it or approve it by a nod or a wink.
"Some did what they could to get the blacking called off, but it was no good.
"The shop stewards • were working as representatives of their own work group and their actions were overwhelmingly supported by the workers.
"It was not with the express or implied authority of the union, nor was it ratified by the union."
Lord Justice Roskill agreed.
Lord Justice Buckley said he agreed with the other two appeal judges "with some doubts and regrets". He thought the shop stewards at Liverpool had acted with the implied authority of the union. But he agreed that the appeals be allowed.
An order was made by the Appeal Court that union be repaid the /55,000 fines.
After hearing argument from both sides the court made no order about the costs of continued on page 16