Union takes police to court in legal bid defending right to protest during lockdown

Unite said that following a lawful ballot, its members were picketing peacefully outside the Optare bus factory in Sherburn-in-Elmet on November 5, immediately after the new lockdown regulations came into force.

The pickets, who were observing measures such as social distancing, use of face masks and hand sanitiser, were told by a police officer to stop picketing because it was not allowed under the new coronavirus lockdown regulations, said Unite.

Members are in dispute with Optare about pay.

Assistant general secretary Howard Beckett said the police's actions were akin to the kind of behaviour seen in a "totalitarian state".

The union is taking a case to the High Court on Friday against the Health Secretary and Chief Constable of North Yorkshire.

Mr Beckett said: “The right to take industrial action and to picket is a fundamental one that cannot and should not be removed by Government.

“To do so has all the hallmarks of running a horse and cart through trade union rights.

“Preventing workers who are taking lawful industrial action from picketing is behaviour more akin to a totalitarian state.

“We have taken every possible safety measure to ensure the safety of those engaged in this lawful action and to be frank they are probably safer outside on the picket line than they would be inside the workplace."

Mr Beckett said workers across the country were fighting for their jobs, including at Rolls Royce in Barnoldswick, Lancashire.

He added: “We understand and support the measures brought to ensure safety during this pandemic but cannot accept that this should curtail the right to picket during an industrial dispute.”

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said the force could not comment while legal proceedings were active.

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