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Driver fired for union activities

6th July 1995, Page 9
6th July 1995
Page 9
Page 9, 6th July 1995 — Driver fired for union activities
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

by Ian Wylie

• A truck driver has been awarded undisclosed damages by a Sheffield industrial tribunal which ruled that he had been "unfairly dismissed for trade union activities".

Stuart Jowitt was sacked in March by James Irlam & Sons of Chelford, Cheshire following a dispute over drivers' hours and "night-out" money. The company issued Jowitt with a written warning but when he appealed and asked to be represented by a United Road Transport Union regional officer he was dismissed. The letter of dismissal cited as reasons Jowitt's "poor attitude and argumentative manner".

At the hearing, the tribunal chairman said the company had "no credible explanation as to why Jowitt was dismissed". Jowitt, who has been employed three times by James Irlam & Sons over the past four years, turned down an offer of reinstatement with the company and has taken a job with Sheffield's City Transport.

"I just didn't want to work for them anymore," he says. "They accused me of trying to fiddle a night out when I had already worked fourteen and three-quarter hours that day. Whex I stood up for my rights they sacked me."

James Irlam & Sons denies that it is hostile to trade unions. "We are happy for our drivers to be union members and representatives," says quality manager John Irlam, who represented the company at the tribunal. "But unfortunately this dispute was fought out on a more personal basis."

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Locations: Sheffield

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