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06/11/2017
Union Rep Wins Employment Tribunal Case
A union rep at Bromley council has won her employment tribunal (ET) case which found she was victimised for trade union activities, Unite the union announced.
Unite Legal Services lodged claims against the Conservative-controlled council’s treatment of Kathy Smith, a council employee and Unite branch secretary, who firmly opposed the council's mass privatisation agenda. Council bosses removed her full-time trade union facility time in June 2015, which the tribunal found was ‘not only about cost or finances' but that there was a wider issue at play ‘namely the way in which the [Council] viewed the unions'.
Unite assistant general secretary for legal services Howard Beckett today hailed the result as 'a great victory for the rights of trade union reps which sends out a strong signal to other local authorities'.
The ET found in favour of Kathy Smith on three counts – two regarding trade union victimisation in order to deter her from carrying out trade union activities and one for breach of the right to paid time-off for trade union duties.
The tribunal was critical of the council on other points also and found that an email sent by Cllr Payne, after Ms Smith raised concerns about people using the public libraries to view pornography, was 'pejorative' and that it was unfortunate that such an important matter was used as a vehicle to criticise Kathy about procedure.
The tribunal found that the trade unions’ objections to cost-cutting and outsourcing was an irritation to an organisation that was embarked on a 'commissioning journey'.
The tribunal concluded that the council wanted to minimise the role of the trade unions within the organisation, while doing the bare minimum to act within the law in respect of the rights contained in the legislation.
The tribunal also noted that Kathy Smith was clearly a conscientious union representative and spent a lot of her own time on union work.
The council now has 28 days to settle on a figure for damages or there will be a remedy hearing to determine the extent of the damages.
Unite Legal Services lodged claims against the Conservative-controlled council’s treatment of Kathy Smith, a council employee and Unite branch secretary, who firmly opposed the council's mass privatisation agenda. Council bosses removed her full-time trade union facility time in June 2015, which the tribunal found was ‘not only about cost or finances' but that there was a wider issue at play ‘namely the way in which the [Council] viewed the unions'.
Unite assistant general secretary for legal services Howard Beckett today hailed the result as 'a great victory for the rights of trade union reps which sends out a strong signal to other local authorities'.
The ET found in favour of Kathy Smith on three counts – two regarding trade union victimisation in order to deter her from carrying out trade union activities and one for breach of the right to paid time-off for trade union duties.
The tribunal was critical of the council on other points also and found that an email sent by Cllr Payne, after Ms Smith raised concerns about people using the public libraries to view pornography, was 'pejorative' and that it was unfortunate that such an important matter was used as a vehicle to criticise Kathy about procedure.
The tribunal found that the trade unions’ objections to cost-cutting and outsourcing was an irritation to an organisation that was embarked on a 'commissioning journey'.
The tribunal concluded that the council wanted to minimise the role of the trade unions within the organisation, while doing the bare minimum to act within the law in respect of the rights contained in the legislation.
The tribunal also noted that Kathy Smith was clearly a conscientious union representative and spent a lot of her own time on union work.
The council now has 28 days to settle on a figure for damages or there will be a remedy hearing to determine the extent of the damages.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
