THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS ACT
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IF The Employment Relations Act 1999 underwent a few changes as it made its way through parliament but one of the most significant came even before it got to committee stage. This was that compensation at an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal was originally going to be unlimited. Now the maximum that can be won is £50,000 (up from £11,000) except in cases involving race, sex Of disability discrimination where the award can still be unlimited.
However, Vicky Phillips, a solicitor with law firm Thompsons, which specialises in employment law, says: "The act never changed the way that the final compensation figure was worked out and the system makes it very difficult for average people to win large claims. I don't think that many drivers will be affected by the 250,000 cap."
Other changes are more technical but they make it harder for unions to win recognition. They include the fact that even if a union has obtained the required 50%-plus-one membership the CAC can still order a ballot of members if it thinks it is in the interests of good industrial relations or if a significant number of staff are opposed to union recognition.
For copies of a booklet explaining the act, contact the Labour Research Department on 020 7928 3649; e-mail, info@Ird.org.uk; web page, http://www.Ird.org.uk. Copies cost £10 each.