Amicus ballots over sacked Rolls-Royce convenor

Around 3,000 members of the Amicus technical and professional union at the Rolls-Royce plant in Patchway, Bristol were due to be balloted as Labour Research went to press.

The ballot is over the dismissal of Jerry Hicks, convenor of the plant's Test Area and deputy site chair.

Hundreds of members of both Amicus and the T&G general union staged an unofficial walkout at the aircraft engine factory last month after Hicks was sacked.

"Rolls Royce is trying to break the back of the union organisation at its Patchway plant in Bristol," said the Rolls Royce Test Area shop stewards committee. "Five weeks ago there was a mass walkout to defend two fitters in the test area who faced the sack. Having successfully defended and retained the two members' jobs, the company now seek retribution in sacking Jerry Hicks..."

Amicus said there had also been a meeting of union convenors from all the UK Rolls Royce sites "at which they all pledged their support for Jerry".