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YOU'RE NOT ALONE
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• Last September a new law was introduced as part of the Employment Relations Act 1999 which allows individuals in unrecognised workplaces to be accompanied in disciplinary and grievance hearings. The law gives staff members the right to be accompanied by a full-time trade union officer, a trade union representative (not usually from the same workplace) or a workplace colleague. It is important to note that these people can represent workers at hearings but cannot negotiate on pay and conditions. The law states that the representative can make an opening address on the employee's behalf at the beginning of the hearing and can confer with him throughout the proceedings but cannot speak after his opening remarks unless the employer agrees.
The TUC has published a booklet, You're not alone, which explains how the act works. It points out that the right to discuss a grievance is not automatic; it must be agreed to by the employer. "There is not a legal requirement for an employer to have a grievance procedure. But even if there is no formal procedure then a good employer will allow you to raise a serious issue with them," says the booklet. If an employer does not allow a worker to be represented he should not attend any hearing. "You should put in writing that you will not attend until you are allowed to bring a companion with you as is your right under the Employment Relations Act 1999," the TUC advises.
CONTACTS:
• If you are a union member your first port of call should be your own union. Contact the TGWU on 020 7611 2500; URTU on 0161 881 0245; and USDAW on 0161 224 2804. The TUC's number is 020 7636 4030. ACAS also offers general advice for workers and employers on legal rights. Contact: Birmingham, 0121 456 5856; Liverpool, 0151 427 8881; Bristol, 0117 946 9500; London, 020 7396 5100; Cardiff, 029 2076 1126; Manchester, 0161 833 8585; Fleet, 01252 811868; Newcastle, 0191 261 2191; Glasgow, 0141 2042671; Nottingham, 0115 969 3355; and Leeds, 0113 243 1371.
Other useful numbers are: the Law Centres Federation, 020 7387 8570; the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux, 020 7833 2181; the Employment Tribunal Enquiry Line (which gives information about how to make a claim), 0345 959775.