Not Practicing What You Preach, UNISON?

A nurse who set up his own trade union branch and raised concerns over patient care was subjected to a “campaign of harassment” by Unison, a tribunal has ruled.

Yeah, I hear the Mafia aren’t keen on the Triads, either…

An Employment Tribunal has decided Edward Bone, a nurse at the Lakes mental health unit in Colchester, was unfairly treated by the mental health partnership in north Essex on four occasions.

The tribunal heard how Mr Bone, of Nelson Road, Colchester, was labelled a “bigot” and greeted with the words “hello Adolf” by members of the public sector union.

Gosh! Anyone would think a union would have some sort of conduct and behaviour guidance.

Oh. Wait. It seems they have:

“Bullying should never be tolerated, and victims should be supported and encouraged to report any incidents.”

I guess there’s a hidden bit that says ‘…unless they are trying to set up a rival union, in which case, comrades, have at it!’.

The verdict stated the trust failed to protect Mr Bone in order to “placate” Unison.

It said: “It is quite clear to this tribunal the local officials of Unison set out to ostracise and intimidate Mr Bone because of his membership of the Workers of England Trade Union.

“This was a striking example of an employer failing to protect an employee from a campaign of harassment and bullying pursued with a disturbing degree of spitefulness, which led to Mr Bone having to take sickness absence because of a stress related condition.”

Who’d ever have thought union officials and those supporting them would behave like squabbling eight year olds? Other than, well, everybody…

North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has 28 days to appeal. A spokesman said: “We are considering the tribunal judgement.

“Mr Bone is still an employee and has been back at work as a nurse since February 14.

“We note his claim about race discrimination was rejected by the tribunal.

“We are particularly pleased there is no indication in the judgment Mr Bone was victimised because he was some kind of ‘whistleblower’.

“However, the tribunal clearly says the trust should have acted to protect Mr Bone from the actions of some other people. We are considering our response to this.”

Way to spin that one, NE Partnership Trust! Concentrate on the tiny issue they dismissed, and not the giant one they upheld!

And what of the union?

The local Unison representative was unavailable to comment.

Yes, I’ll just bet…