Citybus sacking 'was fair'
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• An industrial tribunal has heavily criticised Leicester Citybus for allowing what it described as "syndicates" to control its workforce, after an incident between two "syndicate" leaders led to an employee being sacked.
Bus driver J S Khela had been dismissed by the company after a member of the public complained about an incident in the street between him and another driver. The two men were involved in a fracas in which Khela pushed Dharni (the other driver) into a woman coming out of a shop and then against a shop window.
The tribunal heard that the syndicates existed for two main reasons: to arrange the changing of shifts between drivers; and to oversee religious and/or social events. There were difficulties and conflicts, however, between rival syndicates and even threats of violence.
Criticising Leicester Citybus, the tribunal said it believed that the company had been well aware of the situation, and the problems and difficulties that the syndicates had caused. By allowing the situation to continue, and by not ensuring that management managed, the company had abdicated its responsibility.
The company's disciplinary procedure stated that Khela's dismissal was for fighting. Khela admitted assault and the tribunal was satisfied that there had been verbal provocation from Dharni. The company had knowledge of the syndicates' existence, and of the provocation to which Khela was subjected.
The tribunal concluded that the sacking was fair.