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Court injunction sought against Butlin’s over alleged union intimidation and blacklisting
UVW members on strike at the Butlin’s site in Bognor Regis

A COURT injunction is being sought against holiday resort Butlin’s over alleged union intimidation and blacklisting.

Grassroots trade union United Voices of the World (UVW) is seeking an urgent injunction after 10 unionised Butlin’s security officers in Bognor Regis were subjected to investigations.

The striking resort safety officers are being investigated following a collective grievance against a manager, with workers who did not sign it also under investigation.

Workers have claimed they were told to leave the union or face the sack, prompting allegations of intimidation and potential blacklisting.

UVW is seeking injunctive relief under regulation 13 of the Blacklisting Regulations 2010.

The union argues that Butlin’s may have breached the regulations by identifying and discriminating against workers because of their trade union activities.

UVW general secretary Nelly Ospino said: “Our members raised a collective grievance and then went on strike because they are demanding a safer and fairer workplace.

“The response from Butlin’s appears to have been to turn the tables on the workers and investigate them instead.

“What is particularly concerning is that workers who did not even sign the grievance were among those targeted.

“We need to know how they were identified and why they were selected for investigation.

“If workers are being identified and targeted because they are union members, or because they have taken part in collective action, that is an extremely serious matter.

“Blacklisting has no place in the workplace. We are therefore seeking an urgent court injunction to protect our members while these matters are properly investigated.

“Workers should not have to choose between standing up for themselves and keeping their jobs.”

The workers are striking over pay, staffing, working conditions and health and safety, with continuous action planned from September 21.

Butlin’s was contacted for comment.

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