Expelling fascists from unions

The EAT, in an important new ruling, has confirmed that unions can expel members of fascist organisations where their activities are contrary to union rules.

The facts

The train drivers' union ASLEF expelled a member of the British National Party, Mr Lee. Lee then took ASLEF to an employment tribunal, alleging that the expulsion was unlawful. The tribunal upheld the complaint and the union appealed.

The ruling

The EAT held that a union can expel members if the reason is exclusively over their activities as party members and therefore for reasons beyond just their membership of the political organisation.

ASLEF v Lee EAT/0625/03