UVW was hit by one of the most restrictive injunctions ever bought against a trade union which poses a threat to the whole movement
Security guards striking at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), their union United Voices of the World (UVW), and all of our supporters were injuncted by the High Court from the basic components of protest.
On the picket line or within 200 metres of GOSH, we were banned - at risk of being being held in contempt of court - from"waving banners", "playing music", "shouting", making “rapid or dramatic movements”, "making loud noises", "engaging in vigorous dancing", "photographing or videoing anyone entering or leaving GOSH". In other words, we risked imprisonment for dancing.
We fought this injunction - the most restrictive ever brought against a trade union - and stood up for the rights of workers across the country. Although we still remain partially shackled, which we will continue to fight, we managed to get some of the most draconian aspects of the injunction ripped up. But to do this, we had to pay thousands of pounds in legal fees. We therefore urgently need your help.
UVW is a small union. We will struggle to shoulder this cost alone, but the principle of workers' right to strike and protest outside their workplace is too important to surrender to the bosses.
We are asking for trade unionists and all those who understand what democracy means to contribute to this defence fund and ensure that the right to strike is protected.
This project raises funds for a legal dispute. Neither Crowdfunder nor the project owner can guarantee its outcome, that it will be resolved, or that the amount raised will be enough to see it through. Even a favourable result may be appealed or overturned.
This project successfully funded on 16th March 2022