Workplace Report November 2003

Features: Law Discrimination

Discrimination against trade unionists

Case 16: The facts

Apcoa Parking discriminated against a union representative from public services union UNISON by disciplining him for carrying out his trade union duties. The employment tribunal awarded just £250 for injury to feelings.

The ruling

The Employment Appeal Tribunal held that the figure was too low. It said that there was evidence that the union rep suffered from "anxiety and loss of face" in relation to the disciplinary hearing and for this reason the award should have been £1,000.

* Saunders v Apcoa Parking UK EAT/0526/02