Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) has welcomed UNISON's landmark court victory against the government this morning which means that employment tribunal fees will be scrapped.
The Supreme Court – the UK’s highest
court – has unanimously ruled that the government was acting unlawfully
and unconstitutionally when it introduced the fees four years ago.
From today, anyone who has been treated
illegally or unfairly at work will no longer have to pay to take their
employers to court – as a direct result of UNISON’s legal challenge.
The government
will also have to refund more than £27m to the thousands of people
charged for taking claims to tribunals since July 2013, when fees were
introduced by then Lord Chancellor Chris Grayling.
Kevin Hutchens, joint president of Aberdeen TUC stated "This is a great victory for justice and for workers rights. Clearly the case has been won for basic human rights to be respected.
"True justice should be the right of all regardless of financial status. UNISON is to be congratulated on this crucial success for trade union rights, and never again should barriers such as fees be created".
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