Justice for union activists at print firm

28 October 2005

Two work place representative for Amicus, Britain's biggest private sector union have been sacked for their trade union activities at Imprint Extendet Text Labels, Ashford, Kent the union believes.

A Canadian company CCL Industries took over the company on 13 September. On the 30 September, the day the union's claim for recognition was deemed legal by the Central Arbitration Committee, the decision was made by management to terminate the employment of two Imprint employees and trade union activists.

The union has won interim relief on behalf of the two activists. At the tribunal hearing the then HR Manager formally of Imprint, argued strongly against the decision to sack the employees on the grounds that they were not following procedure, but was overruled by the new management team. The manager has now left the employment of CCL at Ashford.

Part of the company's defence at the hearing was that the new management were unaware of the claimant's involvement with the union, despite the HR Manager being present at this meeting and the fact that the new director of the company had worked at Imprint for 25 years.

The second part of the company's defence centred on the fact that they had sacked a third employee on the 30 September so trade union activity was not in question.

However, this third employee was a salesman and not connected with the shop floor whatsoever, his letter of termination clearly identified the reason to sack him as being poor sales performance, whereas the claimant's letters gave no reason.

The company argued that conduct and disruptive behaviour were the reasons for sacking our reps, however there was no evidence to substantiate this and the panel queried the fact that no written evidence had been submitted.

On the day of the sackings the company also wrote to the CAC asking for an extension of 20 days on our claim over the bargaining unit, and clearly demonstrated the real reason for sacking the claimants.

The CAC has denied this extension and we are scheduled to attend the hearing on 14 November.

The hearing ruled that interim relief should be granted until the full hearing that may not be heard until March 2006.

Comment by Tony Burke Amicus Assistant General Secretary: "Guy Langston has done a terrific job in organising the company. The majority of the workforce are Amicus members and are seeking proper union rights at the company - that is why we have taken out a CAC claim . The actions of CCL is blatant union-busting and we are pleased that the employment tribunal has ruled in our favour. We are pressing ahead with our claim for union recognition. Our union reps, Wally and Dave are a credit to Amicus as are our membership at the company. Amicus and its members are not prepared to be intimidated by these union-busting acts by the company and we will do whatever it takes to win union recognition at the company."