Haulier wants TGWU's £22m frozen
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• A Lancashire haulier is trying to prevent the Transport and General Workers Union from using its £22m funds. A solicitor acting for Heaton's Transport (St Helens) Ltd is to apply -as soon as possiblefor a court order sequestrating (tying up) the union's funds for contempt of the National Industrial Relations Court.
The application is a further step in the company's battle with the union to prevent its lorries being blacked by Mersey dockers. Last week Heaton's obtained a temporary injunction against the union which was extended on Tuesday until April 12. The union has until April 10 to answer the company's case. This is that if the company complies with the union demand—that only dockers should empty containers carried by Heaton's lorries—then 120 employees at St Helens will be out of a job.
The company now alleges that its lorries are still being turned away from the docks despite the injunction. If upheld, the allegation of contempt could ultimately leave the union—which represents both drivers and dockers—open to unlimited fines or its leaders to imprisonment.