Hammersmith Magistrates Court this morning, RMT tube union official Mark Harding, was found not guilty of charges brought against him under section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 as amended by Schedules 7 and 17 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 during the last phase of tube strike action.
Mick Cash, RMT Acting General Secretary, said:
“This is an important victory, not just for RMT but for the whole trade union movement, and has significant implications for every single trade unionist taking action and seeking to picket effectively at the workplace. “RMT always said that this prosecution was politically motivated and was just another attempt to tighten the noose of the anti-trade union laws around the necks of those sections of the working class prepared to stand up and fight. “It shouldn’t be forgotten that this prosecution arose from the dispute on London Underground over savage cuts to jobs, services and safety and that fight continues.”
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Just how much power have TfL got when it comes to intimidating the work force. Mark Harding was charged under the "Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 200".
Let's not forget the letter which was sent out, signed by Director of Taxis and Private Hire John Mason, to 5 drivers who took part in the Whitehall demonstration.
The so-called "Parliament Square 5" received the letter on the 17 August 2012, a month after the demonstration and were asked to attend Palestra, after being caught up in the gridlock of the Parliament Square Demo.
TfL used anti terrorist police officers to intimidate cabbies involved in a peaceful protest against Olympic lane issue in the three Central London Demos
Not the first time we've seen bully boy tactics from TfL Cab Enforcement officers:
One has to wonder what TfL and the Met have in store for the taxi trade, on the 11 of June in Trafalgar Square.
TFL ARE TOTALLY FAILING IN LONDON
TFL ARE NOT FIT TO BE A LICENSING AUTHORITY
WE NEED A PUBLIC ENQUIRY