TNT drivers lose case for unfair dismissal
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• Two former TNT Express drivers have lost claims for unfair dismissal. An industrial tribunal rejected their claim that they were unfairly selected for redundancy, having heard that both men volunteered. Another former TNT driver involved in the action has spoken out against what she claims were warnings to her and other drivers to drop the action.
Cheryl Cooper, who last week received a £6,000 out of court settlement from TNT, says her former shop steward, Tony Holmes, is the only driver carrying on the action. He was given two weeks to prepare his case after dismissing his legal advisors.
Cooper alleges the drivers were warned to abandon their case before their evidence was heard in the second week of the hearing She says the drivers' solicitor, John Rinks, advised her that she could have difficulty getting a mortgage if the case continued and costs were awarded against her. She refused to withdraw and won a settlement.
Rinks, of Rochdale-based solicitors Hartley, Thomas & Wright, says he warned Cooper that costs may be awarded against the drivers looked more likely after the first week of the hearing.
He says he warned Cooper she could have been put on a credit blacklist if she had lost and was not able to pay the costs.
TNT declined to comment.