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New picketing code

01 January 1991

New picketing code
artdoc August=1992

The code of practice on picketing during strikes has been revised
with effect from 1 May 1992. The new provisions include: limiting
picketing at a place where there is more than one employer;
ensuring that picketing does not give rise to civil wrongs; to
ensure that pickets do not present themselves as `official' when
the union does not accept responsibility for the pickets'
activities; ensuring essential supplies and services are not put
at risk by picketing.
The new code says that it is not the responsibility of the
police to enforce the civil law, thus an employer cannot require
them to identify pickets in order to take a civil action. Nor is
it the job of the police to enforce a court order, but they may
`assist' officers of the court if they think there may be a
breach of the peace.
The police, says the code, have considerable powers under the
criminal law to limit the size of pickets where they have
reasonable cause to fear disorder. The High Court has upheld a
decision by a police officer to limit the number of pickets to
two.
POLICE, June 1992.

Statewatch vol 2 no 4, July/August 1992