URTU faces suspension
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• The United Road Transport Union is steeling itself for suspension from the Trades Union Congress after rejecting a ruling from its Disputes Committee over the Ford row.
URTU remains unrepentant over its recruitment of 300 drivers at Ford's Dagenham plant after they left the rival Transport & General Workers Union, although the move was criticised by the Disputes Committee (CM 28 August-3 September), It is now likely to be reported to the General Council of the TUC, which has the power to suspend its membership.
In a letter to TUC general-secretary John Monks, URTU general-se.cre.tary David Higginbottom says: "This is a sad moment for both URTU, after so many years of loyal affiliation, and for the TUC."
Higginbottom denies he is daring the TUC to suspend URTU. "We're not throwing down the gauntlet, but this is a matter of principle," he says. "My expectation is that the General Council will suspend us."
He adds that URTU hopes to put its case to the General Council and would, in any case, appeal against suspension.
'I'UC spokesman Brian Ward says: 'Clearly this is very serious. The rules make it clear that awards of the Disputes Committee must be complied with. Any refusals need to be reported to the General Council."
Ward adds that the suspension of a union is very rare.