Tribunal Rejects BNP Member's Union Claim

Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent | Thursday, 7 April 2005 Source: The Scotsman

A claim by a member of the British National Party that she was denied membership of a trade union because of her political views has been rejected by an employment tribunal, it was announced today.

Donna Graham, from Leicester resigned from the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers' Union (BFAWU) two years ago after her BNP membership became known.

She tried to re-join the union but was denied membership so took a complaint to a tribunal, who found against her.

The tribunal, sitting in Leicester, said she had not been refused membership because of her links with the BNP but because of the threat of interfering with the workings of the union by encouraging other workers to resign.

BFAWU general secretary Joe Marino said: "This is an important ruling because it confirms the right of a trade union to reject membership on the grounds of conduct, in accordance with the union rules.

"We had to defend this claim under the law as it was before the Government changed the legislation to give unions the right to exclude individuals on the grounds of their political activity, but we were always clear that we did not readmit Donna Graham because of her BNP membership, but because she tried to disrupt the union and take members away from it."

Susan Harris of Thompsons Solicitors, who acted for the BFAWU, said: "It's vital that trade unions stand up to those who seek to disrupt their work.

"Thompsons has been proud to act for the BFAWU in this case and for other unions who have demanded the right to expel or refuse membership to members of extremist parties whose views and actions are opposed to the values that unions stand up for."