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RULES OF THE PICKET LINE.
- Picketing by members may only lawfully take place at or near their own place of work.
- Members who are mobile or do not report to a fixed workplace should regard the administrative centre as their place of work.
- Pickets are allowed to peacefully persuade workers and others (e.g. suppliers) not to cross the picket line but anyone who decides to do so must be allowed to.
- Union officials may picket otherwise than at their own place of work where they are accompanying other lawful pickets.
- Mass picketing is unlawful. A government code of practice says a picket should be six or less: a court is not bound by this but is likely to heed it.
- Picket duty should begin not less than an hour before normal working hours and should aim to cover at least the first half of the working day.
- Pickets should wear an armband (will be supplied) indicating they are on duty. Placards and posters should be displayed stating “official strike”.
- The content of placards, posters and leaflets must avoid personal attacks.
- Any member, work colleague, or member of the public who approaches the picket line should be spoken to, given a leaflet and the reason for the strike explained to them in a polite and courteous manner.
- The picket does not have the power under the law to require people to stop or to compel them to listen or to make them do what the pickets ask them to do. A person who decides to cross a picket line must be allowed to do so.
- Those workers who wish to cross the picket line should be asked not to undertake any other duties or responsibilities other than their own.
- It is an offence to use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or display any insulting leaflets, placards, posters or other material.
- Pickets should co-operate with the police in any requests they make to keep the streets free from obstruction, etc. Attempts should be made to persuade the police to permit cars and other vehicles to be stopped for a brief time, to enable information to be communicated.
PLEASE ABIDE BY THESE RULES TO AVOID ANY CONFLICTING SITUATIONS.
