Magazine Issue 7 - Spring 1998
'Unison and the Hillingdon dispute'

The realistic prospects of success in this dispute were always slim. The majority of the workforce accepted new contracts. Only a brave minority rejected them. Support from Pall Mall staff at other sites was very limited and a Pall Mall wide meeting rejected calls for national strike action. Such action would have been illegal. Media interest, including in the left-wing media, was poor.

Despite these obstacles UNISON launched a corporate campaign in support of the strike. This included: picketing the hospital, three demonstrations, a concerted campaign to stop Pall Mall gaining any contracts (they lost three and gained no new contracts in the NRS during the campaign); lobbying the company AGM and leafleting shops run by Pall Mall subsidiaries. This put pressure on the company resulting in the new offer.

Under UNISON rules the elected industrial action committee has the authority to call off the dispute, which they did. Twenty three of the strikers accepted the offer. The remainder rejected it. UNISON then called off the dispute. This decision has been endorsed by UNISON conferences and health committees made up of ordinary UNISON members.

Contrary to the impression given in your article, legal support was not withdrawn from those who rejected the offer. UNISON successfully challenged the original tribunal decision and the case will now be reheard. Although the case may establish an important point of law for workers' rights, a success will not re-instate the workers. Maximum compensation from the tribunal would still be less than the negotiated deal.

Suggestions of a secret deal between the company and UNISON are nonsense. UNISON is continuing to pursue the company - which has since been taken over by Granada. UNISON continues to salute the bravery and determination of the Hillingdon women. We continue to fund legal action on their behalf and they remain members. We had a responsibility to secure the best deal we could for them in the circumstances.

Steven Weeks National Officer UNISON 1 Mabledon Place London WClR 9AJ 01715511357 Email: s.weeks@unison.co.uk

Editor's note: See 'No peace without justice for sacked Hillingdon Women', Corporate Watch Issue 4.