Union boss resigns after case

Union boss resigns after case

Mary Senior said justice was done

A union leader has resigned minutes after settlement of a tribunal case in which he had been accused of victimising a female colleague.

Robert Parker, 44, Scottish secretary of the GMB union, quit after an agreement that the woman should be paid £50,000.

Mary Senior claimed she was bullied by Mr Parker because she supported a colleague who was making complaints against him.

Ms Senior, who now works for another union, told the tribunal she was forced to quit because of his harassment.

Mr Parker said the pressure of the case had become unbearable and left his post with immediate effect.

I'm delighted that the GMB has finally seen sense and settled this case

Mary Senior

On Wednesday, a day before the tribunal was due to make its judgement, the union settled the action.

Ms Senior said she hoped lessons had been learned and her ordeal had not been for nothing.

"I'm delighted that the GMB has finally seen sense and settled this case, recognising my loss and benefiting GMB employees," she said.

"This case was about victimisation, bullying and harassment.

'New policy'

"I sincerely hope that the message that bully bosses can no longer get away with harassing and intimidating employees goes out to all workplaces."

The Equal Opportunities' Commission Scotland (EOC), which supported her case, said it hoped it would raise awareness of workplace bullying.

EOC's Muriel Robison said she hoped the publicity surrounding the case would make workers confident about enforcing their rights.

"Employers must treat these issues seriously and have robust policies in place," she said.

Mr Parker, who was one of three candidates to succeed John Edmonds as General Secretary of GMB, will not now stand for election for that post.

GMB spokesman Bill Heaney said: "GMB regrets the whole circumstances of the Mary Senior case and undertakes to confirm it will introduce a new policy on bullying and harassment at work by senior officers of the GMB.

The GMB settled Ms Senior's compensation claim

"GMB nationally has also agreed to complete the review of its existing policies relating to harassment at work in conjunction with the Equal Opportunities Commission in order to safeguard the rights and dignity at work of all GMB employees."

He said the union would develop a training programme to ensure all GMB employees were made aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding equal opportunities.

The GMB will pay Mr Parker his normal net pay for the next 12 months.

"This is out of compassion for the fact that he is married with two young children," the spokesman added.

'My family'

"He has given a long period of service to the union and is now without employment."

Mr Parker's letter of resignation said the pressure of ongoing litigation had become unbearable.

He said he had no alternative but to "withdraw from my position, and to take time for reflection and recuperation.

"The GMB and my family have been my life for 25 years and it is my intention to remain a loyal member of the union," said Mr Parker.

Speaking at a media conference on Thursday, Ms Senior said she was satisfied with the outcome.

She said: "Robert Parker's resignation appears to me to be an acknowledgement of his wrongdoing. I feel justice has been served.

"I suffered a truly horrendous experience, undermining my confidence and self-esteem, affecting my relationships with friends and family, making me anxious, frightened and depressed and detrimental to my health, giving me no choice but to give up my job.

"What I have found most upsetting is that a trade union, an organisation which is supposed to stand up for workers' rights, has found itself in this position.

"The vast majority of ordinary GMB members were extremely supportive to me and understand that bullying and harassment is unacceptable."