Wiltshire Council will appeal the employment tribunal’s decision

Wiltshire Council has lodged an appeal against a recent employment tribunal judgment which was handed down in relation to an email sent regarding proposed changes to the terms and conditions of some employees.

The board challenges the tribunal’s finding that plaintiffs v. the board “were subject to prejudice for reasons related to trade union activities”.

The context of the tribunal case was an email sent by Wiltshire Council’s chief executive about the council’s ongoing situation proposing to change the terms and conditions of some employees’ contracts and possible subsequent industrial action as a result. The ruling was upheld on March 27 following a hearing held from February 5-9 at Bristol Employment Tribunal.

In its appeal, which was filed on May 3, the board’s grounds of appeal are based on a number of factors, including the Tribunal’s interpretation of the general purpose behind the email in question, findings that the claimants suffered a prejudice because a result and Interpretation of section 146 of the Trade Unions and Labor Relations Act 1992.

Terence Herbert, chief executive of Wiltshire Council, said: “We have not taken the decision to appeal lightly, but after carefully considering legal advice, we believe this is the correct course of action.

“We have always believed that our position on this matter is strong and that the email at the heart of this matter was intended to correct inaccurate information and to reassure staff that the council is working to resolve this as quickly as possible as our priority has been , and remains, the well-being of our staff.

“This appeal does not change our goal to resolve the terms and conditions issue as quickly and fairly as possible. Given that this is now an ongoing case, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”