by Niall Christie

Scotland editor

UNITE has demanded a review of picketing restrictions in Scotland following the dispersal of workers involved in industrial action in Edinburgh.

Workers involved in a peaceful picket at SAICA Packaging UK in Edinburgh were dispersed on Wednesday by Police Scotland, amid a dispute over changes to terms and conditions.

Organisers and those behind the dispute have claimed that they received threats of fines and further “punishment” from cops during the picket.

Unite Scotland said all statutory requirements with regard to coronavirus restrictions were adhered to and Police Scotland informed in advance of the strike, with no objections raised at that time.

Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said: “The lack of legal protection for workers involved in a lawful industrial dispute like SAICA is plainly unfair. 

“There is a pick-and-mix approach to this by the authorities which is resulting in some workers being threatened with fines and being denied their basic human rights.”  

The action follows a decision by the company to detrimentally vary the contracts of Unite members as they relocate to Livingston in 2022. 

Unite has written to Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf demanding that the Scottish government and Police Scotland adopt the same approach being applied to workers in England who have been afforded picketing rights. 

Unite’s assistant general secretary Howard Beckett said that the union would fight legally in Scotland to allow “members to take part in all aspects of democratic and lawful industrial action.”

The Scottish Trades Union Congress also hit out at the action taken towards the protesters on Wednesday, saying it was “totally unacceptable that a socially distant picket should be broken up when workers across the country are being expected to attend work.”

Superintendent Mark Rennie said: “Officers were made aware of a potential gathering in respect of planned industrial action at a business premises on Turnhouse Road on Thursday 17 March 2021.

“Police attended around 6am and after speaking with people there and reminding them of the current Covid regulations, the small crowd dispersed.”

“Police Scotland's approach throughout the pandemic has not changed. Officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance, and encourage compliance, using enforcement as a last resort."