Conference walks out to back sacked SECC worker

Hundreds of UNISON delegates from across the UK suspended their Local Government Conference at Glasgow's SECC today to walk and demonstrate in solidarity with Robert O'Donnell, a UNISON Health and Safety rep sacked by the SECC.

On Friday, UNISON issued a press release saying it was "sorely disappointed that the SECC have up held their decision to dismiss Robert O’Donnell."

Robert is a gardener for the SECC. He was dismissed on 25 May 2015. UNISON represented him at an internal appeal on 10 June. The decision to uphold the dismissal of Robert O’Donnell for gross misconduct was confirmed on 12 June.

UNISON continue to support Robert O’Donnell. We are concerned that the recognised independent ACAS code of practice was not properly followed. We are consulting Robert on the way forward.

A UNISON spokesperson said ‘this is a difficult time for Robert and his family and we are supporting him in every way we can. We are sorely disappointed that the SECC upheld their decision to dismiss Robert. Even though we presented them with a number of grounds why we felt their decision had not followed ACAS independent code of practice. We are consulting with Robert to decide on the best way forward.’

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