WINNING AT WORK

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march/april 2026 :: RMTnews 26 LEGAL SUPPORT FOR RMT MEMBERS AT EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS If you are experiencing difficulties in the workplace and need advice regarding a potential employment tribunal claim contact the union. In the first instance, ensure that you contact your local RMT Representatives or Regional Organiser. Then complete an L2 – Request for Legal Assistance (available on-line) and send it to your Regional Office with all supporting documentation. RMT’s legal department deals with virtually all cases from assessment to the case’s conclusion at a tribunal for members across England and Wales. The legal department has also submitted claims to Employment Appeal Tribunals. The in-house legal department is now firmly established and employs four solicitors and continues to advise and support members in their work-related criminal cases in the Magistrates Court. This often involves defending members against false allegations made by the public of assault, false allegations of theft and alleged driving offences. Furthermore, it continues to offer tailored advice and support for bus and taxi drivers, in respect of their licensing issues, licensing appeals before the Magistrates Court, driving offences, and in respect of appearances before Traffic Commissioners. The In-house legal department continues to strive to deliver a first-class service to all of members. They are committed to provide a strong service to assist the union through the ever-changing legal landscape and their successes have grown yearly. Your Free legal service covers: • Employment Law – provided by the RMT Legal Department • Access to Personal Injury Lawyers – where 100 per cent of compensation is kept by members. • Access to a basic will service. • Access to special terms for conveyancing, probate, powers of attorney. • Access to special terms for family law related matters. The contact number for the legal department is 020 7084 7260 or go on-line to rmt.org.uk/about/legal-services/ L E G A L RMT supported a long-serving member in his successful claims for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination against Transport for London (TfL), securing substantial compensation totalling over £200,000. The member suffers with Crohn’s disease and was assessed by Occupational Health during 2022 as being unfit to carry out his substantive role as a Visitor Centre Customer Service Advisor without adjustments. Our member offered to return to his role with adjustments. However, he was referred to the redeployment centre and began a 13-week spell there, but the member was unable to find an alternative role. At a case conference the member and his RMT representative proposed that he be transferred to work at the Heathrow Visitor Centre as he could manage the journey and would be able to work from Monday to Friday. After a brief adjournment the member was informed that he was being dismissed with immediate effect with pay in lieu of notice. TfL did not refer the member back to Occupational Health (OH) for advice on this specific role at Heathrow. The member appealed against his dismissal, providing medical evidence and again offered to work at Heathrow on a trial basis. The appeal was rejected and the hearing manager said that he could see no point in a further referral. The RMT legal department supported the claims for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination, arguing that medical evidence was not that he was incapable but could work with reasonable adjustments. The member was not referred to OH, and had not been off sick since 2021. The Employment Tribunal concluded that these claims were well-founded and TfL had unfairly dismissed the member and subjected him to disability discrimination including a failure to make reasonable adjustments. The member was supported throughout the litigation process, which took over two years, by the legal department and his union representative who gave compelling evidence in support of the claim. The Tribunal found that the member was a candid and reliable witness and was WINNING AT WORK Member wins over £200,00 in unfair dismissal and disability discrimination case