BAE workers in Lancashire win High Court battle and can go ahead with intended strikes
A High Court ruling today has permitted Unite members at BAE factories in Lancashire to go ahead with industrial action as planned.
Last month, thousands of Unite workers at BAE’s Lancashire factories overwhelmingly backed a legitimate strike ballot, reportedly furious at their poor pay offer this year.
The strikes at Warton and Samlesbury were due to begin on Wednesday and last until November 25.
On Friday, however, BAE Systems applied for a High Court injunction in an attempt to stop workers taking industrial action.
At that High Court hearing, which took place today, the court has permitted Unite members at BAE factories in Lancashire to go ahead with industrial action as planned.
Mr Justice Soole said: “Having considered the evidence, the application is dismissed. I will give my reasons later.”
Commenting on the victory, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This unsuccessful attempt by BAE to prevent a lawful strike will have severely damaged the goodwill it has with its workforce.
“BAE is a multi-billion pound company making record profits. It now needs to come back to the negotiating table with an acceptable offer for striking workers in its Air division, rather than wasting money on pointless legal threats.
“Otherwise, our members will be taking strike action throughout November in their fight for fair pay.”
A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “We note the ruling by the High Court. We believe we had good grounds for the legal challenge and will consider the courts judgment. We respect the right of employees to engage in industrial action and remain committed to a partnership approach with all our Trade Union groups.”
The company also states that it has robust contingency plans in place and will continue to minimise any disruption to its business.
All production lines will remain operational and BAE’s priority remains to “protect our people, our business and deliver on our commitments to our customers”.