GATE GOURMET locked-out workers had their picket stopped yesterday at the main gate of the Heathrow plant by the Heathrow Airport police and the British Airports Authority Airport Duty Manager.
Before this, the pickets set up their banner and picketed as they have done almost every day since they were locked out on August 10th last year.
Baljit Dhindsa told News Line: ‘We are here picketing our place of work as is our right as ruled by the High Court judge last year. Anyone who tries to stop us picketing is acting in contempt of the High Court.’
Satpal Sagoo said: ‘We have every right to be here the same as we have been here almost every day since we were locked out.
Devinder Bath said: ‘We are standing firm and won’t give up our rights.’
Shortly after the picket arrived, a Gate Gourmet health and safety officer removed the High Court ruling from where it had been attached to the fence since the judgement on the 21st of August last year.
After yesterday’s picket commenced, Heathrow Airport Police Inspector Bogie arrived. He was handed a letter explaining that the picket had every right to continue as authorised by the High Court.
Airport Duty Manager Simon Fraser then arrived and said: ‘This is an unofficial dispute you have going on here and under the airport by-laws you are asked to leave the site.’
Fraser was told: ‘It has never been an official dispute, a High Court judge ruled that picketing could continue.’
Fraser replied: ‘We have spoken to the T&G today and they have informed us that they have no dispute with Gate Gourmet.’
Fraser was told that the High Court had ruled that three groups (the T&G, named Gate Gourmet locked-out workers and persons unknown) had the right to peacefully picket.
He replied: ‘As an airport official I’m quite willing to challenge that.’
Fraser was told: ‘If you remove us you are acting in breach of the ruling and in contempt of the High Court,’ he replied: ‘I’m willing to take that chance.’
Inspector Bogie said: ‘We are asking you to move under the 24-hour rule, it is now 3.35 if you come back before 3.35 tomorrow you will be arrested.’
Fraser added: ‘This is an unofficial strike, if you come here again you will be arrested.’