An Employment Tribunal has ruled that the private catering company ISS UK Ltd that deliver school meals on behalf of Wakefield Council unlawfully victimised a trade union representative who was a champion of low paid workers.
On the 10 December 2020 the Leeds Employment Tribunal handed down a Judgement in the case of Carol Dewrow v ISS UK Ltd. This followed a 5 day Hearing in September when the Tribunal heard how Carol, a UNISON Convenor in Wakefield, was subjected to a number of detriments including constructive unfair dismissal and automatic unfair dismissal.
The Tribunal heard how ISS tried to prevent Carol from carrying out trade union duties at a time when she was involved in a national UNISON campaign to recover wages that UNISON believes ISS had unlawfully withheld from 45 school cooks in Wakefield. This was part of a national claim against ISS UK Ltd that affects 500 low paid union members.
Rianne Hooley, UNISON Regional Organiser said: “Carol is a very effective union representative. She secured a number of victories for her members and ISS took exception to this and tried to prevent her from acting as a UNISON representative. We are delighted that the Employment Tribunal decision confirms that ISS acted unlawfully and we look forward to the Tribunal determining an appropriate remedy when it meets in February.
“We believe that such unlawful behaviour confirms our view that ISS UK Ltd should not be delivering school meals services on behalf of Wakefield Council”.
Jackie Lambert, Chairperson of UNISON Wakefield Local Government Branch said: “It is quite common that when trade union representatives are effective and are doing a good job supporting members, some employers take exception to it and they can make up spurious complaints and false allegations to try and stop or restrict them in their role.
“This case demonstrates that Wakefield UNISON will not tolerate such bullying behaviour. Let all nasty employers know, if you victimise our representatives, we will throw the full weight of the union behind them and we will call you out!”
Sam Greenwood, UNISON Wakefield Local Government Branch Secretary said: “ISS have been nothing but trouble in Wakefield. We are currently supporting 45 members who have had their wages withheld and now we have had Carol being forced out of her job for supporting these low paid women.
“We call upon Wakefield Council to seriously consider whether they want to be associated with a company that treats its workers unlawfully.”