DON’T BE ON YOUR OWN

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2012 :: RMTnews 11 Massive changes to Employment Tribunals made by the government mean that access to workplace justice has been denied to millions and now comes with a hefty price tag. The changes are designed to stop working people seeking compensation from employers. The qualifying period to claim unfair dismissal has been doubled to two years – at a stroke depriving millions of workers of legal protection in the workplace. RMT has always argued that workplace rights should start from day one, but the government has listened to bosses who want to be able to sack workers at will. Prohibitive tribunal fees are to be introduced, with a fee of up to £250 just to register a case, and up to £950 more payable before it gets to a hearing. Appeals will cost up to £1,600. This is a cynical hammer blow designed to make it as difficult as possible to lodge a tribunal claim, and a massive attack on union resources. The door has been opened to judges sitting alone in tribunals, no longer balanced with lay “wing” members. The government wants to banish trade-union panellists and others with industrial experience from sitting with judges, many of whom have no employment experience. Witnesses’ expenses will no longer be paid Witness statements will now be taken “as read”, potentially depriving claimants of the right to cross-question witnesses. The potential cost of losing a tribunal has been doubled, from £10,000 to £20,000. Another move clearly aimed at discouraging claims being brought, not least as tribunals are increasingly exercising the option to award costs against the losing side. Ministers claim these measures will save time and money, but they will load chances even further against tribunal claimants. Even now only around eight per cent of unfair dismissal cases are successful, and the figure is far lower for discrimination cases. For RMT these changes mean well over £1million a year in extra legal fees, but the union remains committed to winning justice for its members at work. Despite these massive costs, RMT will continue to offer a comprehensive legal service to members, including covering tribunal fees and costs. Put simply, if the union runs the case, the union will pay the fees. Claimants will have to submit the initial fee, but if RMT runs the case it will be reimbursed, and when a member gets a hearing date RMT will pay the hearing fee. The union will also continue to pay witness expenses. Only if the member is successful at a Tribunal and the Tribunal awards the fees back to the member will they have to be reimbursed to the union. Now more than ever it makes sense to belong to RMT, the union that stands up for its members at work and offers a comprehensive legal service. So, if you are not already a member, join RMT today, and get yourself protected by RMT’s expert legal team and tell your workmates that are not in the union that they are not protected. *The above benefits are subject to membership qualification and acceptance of cases by the union and its solicitors. DON’T BE ON YOUR OWN RMT will continue to stand up for you legal rights after government announces employment tribunal charges for workers to have access to justice