Update on Jerry Hicks. posted by Richard Seymour

There's a good summary of the background and developments in this dispute here . However, I received a more up-to-date account in my inbox this morning.

What we now know is that yesterday a number of Convenors went to Rolls Royce's headquarters in London to have talks with the management. Returning, they discussed the situation with Jerry Hicks, and subsequently a recommendation was put to the still striking workers to "return to work in order for a ballot of the Bristol Test manual employees to take place as quickly as possible. This recommendation was proposed, voted on and accepted."

The company will have been informed of the decision to ballot for industrial action today. The ballot will take place between 3rd and 11th August, and an Interim Relief application has been filed on Jerry Hicks' behalf.

You can still send messages of support to jw1610@blueyonder.co.uk and copy them to Amicus general secretary Derek Simpson at derek.simpson@amicustheunion.org. And also, it wouldn't hurt to take Socialist Worker's advice and "Bombard Rolls Royce with fax messages, phone calls and letters of protest. Send your letters to Rolls Royce International, 65 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AT, phone 020 7222 9020, or fax 020 7227 9178." And if you're really keen, you can "Download the collection sheet from the SWP website at www.swp.org.uk , print it off and take it around your workplace, fellow trade unionists and campaigners".