Terrorism Act injunction thrown out of Court!

We're happy to report that the Terrorism Act injunction brought against Blacklisted worker and Trades Unionist Steve Acheson has been thrown out of the High Court today.

The Judge dismissed the application by Scottish & Southern Energy, branding their application "fantasy bordering on the edge of paranoia", and added "This court exists to grant injunctions in urgent cases. It does not exist to grant injunctions which might be thought to be convenient to applicants". Acheson was also awarded costs.

Scottish and Southern Energy have now stated their intention to apply to the local County Court, but this would seem foolhardy as a higher court has already rejected this application - a high risk strategy has not paid off so far.

Further reading:
Article on BBC website
Article on Manchester Evening News website

Terrorism Act 2000 being used against Blacklisted workers

A hearing is pending in the Royal Courts of Justice, London, on Wednesday 21st October at 10.30am, at which Scottish and Southern Energy is applying for an injunction against Steve Acheson, one of the 3 electricians in the class legal action blacklist case against companies affiliated to Ian Kerr's Consulting Association, & also Sec. of the Unite/EPIU Manchester Contracting Branch: this is an injunction sought by the main contractor at Fiddlers Ferry.

This injunction is being brought under the Terrorism Act 2000 & seeks to show that Steve, as the 1st respondent, & others unnamed [as second respondents], by their constant picketing of the site represent "a threat to the energy supplies of this country". Because this application is being brought under the Terrorism Act 2000, Steve will not be able to defend himself at this hearing, as we understand it. The basis of the application is that by picketing the site he is committing a Trespass because he & others are on the Firm's property; that having issued leaflets to workers on the site calling for 'direct action' he is 'inciting' the workforce to commit acts contrary to the national interest which may impact on energy supplies & that he has, at times, acted in a way that might have intimidated the workforce. There is no mention in the company's deposition to the Court that he was formerly employed by them, nor that his picket represents a campaign against blacklisting. One senior trade union leader in the RMT has already said that if this goes ahead it will have consequences for the whole trade union movement.

James Purnell Dumped By Focus Group

Another Youtube offering for NV blog readers. A focus group run by the American political consultant Frank Luntz, were asked about James Purnell`s chances of succeeding Gordon Brown as Labour leader. Nobody in the group could identify Purnell and one person thought he was the mail room boy from Downing Street. After listening to an interview with Purnell, one participant remarked: 'He`s just waisted 3 minutes of my life' Another participant said he thought Purnell spoke in 'soundbites'. Luntz then removes Purnell`s picture from the board and throws it on the floor 'due to his inability to communicate'. Read on!

Northern Voices @ London Anarchist Bookfair

On Saturday 24th October, Northern Voices will have a stall at the annual London Anarchist Bookfair. This is the biggest annual event for Anarchists (of all persuasions) from all over the country.

On the day, you can chat to us about the magazine, buy current and back issues and perhaps, if you feel you have something to say, talk to us about contributing to the next and subsequent issues.

The Bookfair is being held at Queen Mary & Westfield College, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS (click here for a map) between 10.00 am and 7.00 pm on Saturday 24th October. There are lots of meetings happening all day, as well as films and cabaret, and a list of stalls (who have websites) can be found here.

We look forward to see you there.

The Workers' Next Step

Shock! Horror! Lucien Freud's portrait of 'Big Sue' Tilley: 'Benefits Supervisor Sleeping' graces the cover of a new discussion booklet for the National Shop Stewards' Network published by The Workers' Next Step group. Featuring an attack on New Labour's managerialism & the 'New Workers' Party' idea, it is based on the 'Miners' Next Step' and the critique of Geoffrey Ostergaard 'The Tradition of Workers' Control'. It features essays on the New Deal & an interview with a former inmate at a Government training camp down south; Asbestos, contaminated land, and Health & Safety issues treated by Jason Addy, researcher in occupational and environment diseases at Manchester Metropolitan University; Rachel Whittaker attacks the 'carbon footprint' & the 'prole-cult' in the Vestas dispute.

Direct sales price £1.99 or £2.49 (post paid); Cheques payable to 'Northern Voices'. Available c/o 46, Kingsland Road, Rochdale, Lancs. OL11 3HQ


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Hi-De-Hi Jobseekers: New Deal Scam at A4E

Training and Work opportunities on the NEW DEAL - what a joke. We thought our readers might like to see this video taken from the channel 4 TV programme 'Benefit Busters'. This form of modern day slavery 'work for your dole' was thought up by James Purnell the MP for Stalybridge and Hyde. If the voters of Tameside have any sense then this is where they ought to send him and vote him out at the next election.