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Union man to pursue claim
Page 6
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A FORMER TNT driver, who claims he became a 'marked man' for wanting to become a Transport & General Workers Union shop steward, has been given the goahead by a preliminary employment hearing to pursue his claim for unfair dismissal.
Peter Rooke. of Water Orton had been working on TNT's Volkswagen contract for 31 months when he was dismissed last September after he arrived for a shift and asked to be taken off his run from Bristol to Exeter because he felt ill. After several hearings he was sacked for alleged gross misconduct.
Rooke further claims that certain bosses wanted to get rid of him because he wanted to lead the union, and to improve safety at TNT's Dordon depot after he injured his chest pushing equipment.
"The management refused to co-operate. but I felt really ill so I refused to make the run. I believe! was treated unfairly."
The firm has denied the allegations and is opposing Mr Rooke's claims. The full hearing is to be heard later this year.