DISMISSAL, J HUGHES – GATE GOURMET (EDINBURGH)

Our Ref: HC/4/1

 

25 July 2024

 

 

Dear RMT Member

 

DISMISSAL, J HUGHES – GATE GOURMET (EDINBURGH)

 

You will no doubt be aware by now of the outrageous decision taken by Gate Gourmet management to sack your colleague and long-standing RMT representative John Hughes over allegations with regards to an altercation and threatening behavior in the workplace.

 

John is not shying away from his actions, having apologised and shown great remorse over this incident from the outset and stated that there were mitigating personal circumstances. Despite this, and with a 10-year unblemished record along with the fact that John offered to attend ACAS mediation, Gate Gourmet has disgustingly taken the decision to sack him.

 

This is not the first time your employer has taken a hard line against a union representative and members as Gate Gourmet stand accused of regularly ignoring members’ concerns and refusing to address multiple issues – as you and your colleagues in Edinburgh know too well.

 

The matter has therefore been considered by your union’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which has instructed me to advise the company that we are now in dispute over this matter. I shall be demanding the immediate reinstatement of John to his old job and, should the company not accept this demand at the appeal stage, then your NEC has stated it will have no hesitation in calling on you and your collegues for an industrial response.

 

I will of course keep you advised of all further developments in this matter, particularly when I receive a response from the company. 

 

AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!

DEFEND YOUR RMT REPS!

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary