NOT GUILTY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: june 2014 :: RMTnews 5 London Underground worker Mark Harding has been found not guilty of charges brought against him after an incident on a picket line. He was accused of trying to intimidate a supervisor into not crossing the picket line at Hammersmith during industrial action in February over Tube ticket office closures. British Transport Police brought a case under the 1992 Trade Union and Labour Relations Act, as amended by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. Over 20 MPs and trade union leaders had issued a joint statement of support for Mark in a case that would have intensified UK anti-trade union laws and effectively made picketing illegal. A joint letter said that they were “dismayed that the arrest appears to have political connotations in that Mr Harding was arrested by the use of trade union legislation and held in custody for 13 hours”. Speaking outside the court following the verdict, Mr Harding said that it was “clearly a politically motivated case. "It is scandalous that so much public money has been wasted as I did nothing wrong - all I did was ask someone not to cross a picket line. "This is an important victory, not just for RMT but for the whole trade union movement, and has significant implications for every single trade unionist taking action and seeking to picket effectively at the workplace.” he said. RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said that the union welcomed the broader support from across the labour and trade union movement. “Mark was on a picket line, carrying out his normal trade union duties in support of RMT’s campaign to stop job cuts and ticket office closures on London Underground but as a result of the highly-politicised anti-union laws has been threatened with the loss of his liberty. “His case, and his fight for justice, has severe implications for every single trade unionist in this country,” he said. (See page 21) Trumped up charges against RMT member Mark Harding thrown out of court NOT GUILTY!