At UnionLine, we are able to offer advice and legal support on all aspects of employment law and litigation for GMB and CWU members.
Our experienced team of legal advisors and employment lawyers can offer union members the benefit of their expertise when it comes to their rights at work.
Union representatives provide valuable support and assistance on a range of matters relating to employment rights. We will work closely with your local union officials when dealing with your case, to ensure you receive the best possible advice relevant to your individual circumstances.
We can provide advice on a range of employment matters through our dedicated advice line. We are also able to give local support, advice and representation through our panel of specialist law firms, should this be required.
Our employment law service is provided free of charge to GMB and CWU Union members as part of your membership but is only available to active members and is subject to your Union’s rules and our terms and conditions.
Lodging a claim
We are able to assess the merits of employment tribunal cases for members. If successful, your case will then be sent on to one of our local, specialist panel firms to deal with the matter.
We can assess the merits of your claim relating to some of the following matters:
- Unfair dismissal
- TUPE
- Discrimination
- Payment issues
- Contract issues
- Redundancy
- Whistleblowing
- Working time
We are also able to provide advice if you are entering into a settlement agreement with your employer.
If you are a union member and would like to receive advice on your employment rights, call the employment advice line on 0300 333 0303.
Legal Funding
While our employment services are free of charge to members of the GMB and CWU Unions we are obliged to inform you about the likely costs being incurred in the event that your claim is approved by your Union and accepted by UnionLine.
The fees incurred are not set in stone as they may change as your claim progresses so it is not possible to set out the exact amount as every claim will differ in circumstance and complexity. However, the costs can range between £750 to £35,000 plus VAT at 20%. In some circumstances the costs could exceed this range. Charges can be set by hourly rates depending on who is acting on your claim and this is around £200 an hour plus VAT at 20%. Alternatively, we could have arrangements with service providers who charge a set fee to us once the claim has been assessed. Such fees would be within the range set out above. There will be instances where we have to incur fees for other service providers (such as counsel) or we have to obtain other evidence (such as a medical report). These fees are called disbursements and will also be covered by your Union subject to their rules and our terms of business. Such fees will range anywhere between £100 to £10,000+ as well as VAT at 20% depending on the claim and its complexity.
If your claim is approved by your Union and accepted by UnionLine you will receive the full employment service providing you comply with your Union rules and our terms of business. This will include all required action from us taking initial instructions until completion at a tribunal if required. The costs being incurred will be managed by UnionLine with your Union but as a Union member you will not be responsible for paying these fees subject to compliance with your Union rules and our terms of business. What may be excluded from this service is any employment action that does not include an employment tribunal. Such claims could be civil claims in the county court for breach of contract. Such claims would be discussed on a case by case basis at the time and full information will be provided.