LONDON - Workers who were sacked from the British government's GCHQ intelligence centre a decade ago for refusing to give up their union rights were last night preparing to return to their jobs after the controversial union ban was lifted.
The Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook, kept Lahour's pre-election promise to allow the 4,800 workers freedom to join a union, saying he wanted to put right a "long-standing wrong". Up to half of the 14 workers sacked in 1988 for refusing to give up their union membership are expecting to return to their jobs, although they will probably have to be refrained.
Three of the sacked workers were given a standing ovation by cheering delegates at the annual conference in Blackpool of the Public Services, Tax and Commerce union.
