NALGO members in polytechnics and colleges of higher education in

England and Wales yesterday won a High Court action which threatened

their democratic decision to strike this Thursday in support of a 10%

pay claim.

In an attempt to stop 11,500 admistrative workers from striking, the

University of Central England in Birmingham and Kingston University in

Surrey challenged the way in which the ballot was conducted.

The court rejected arguments that separate ballots should have been

conducted in each institution, saying it was reasonable for the union to

rely on the fact that there was a common factor which applied to each

Nalgo member in the instititions -- the 4.3% pay offer from the

employers.

The decision means that Nalgo members can go ahead with their action

starting with a one-day strike this Thursday, to coincide with the

publication of A-level results, followed by a two-day strike and a

three-day stoppage on dates to be determined.