Press Release: Victimised Union leader to appeal Kirklees Council dismissal
For immediate release
Date: 4th February 2022
Victimised Union leader to appeal Kirklees Council dismissal
National Union Backs Paul Holmes’s Legal Case
UNISON members and many in the wider Labour Movement will be shocked at the decision of Kirklees Council to dismiss UNISON president Paul Holmes from his post with the Council. Paul has 48 years of unbroken and unblemished service with Kirklees stretching back to 1973.
A lifelong Trade Unionist, Paul has been Branch Secretary of first NALGO and now UNISON Kirklees Branch for 32 years, during which time he has represented hundreds of members in disciplinary cases, led strikes and defended the interests of all 10,000 plus members of the branch. Paul is one of the longest serving NEC members, having first been elected in 2007; and subsequently re-elected seven times. His track record as a Trade Unionist speaks for itself.
Paul was suspended from work in November 2019 and although the Council’s investigation, carried out by an external consultant, was completed 18 months ago, and the disciplinary case was completed in early December 2021, the decision of the Council was only relayed to Paul on Wednesday 2nd February 2022.
Paul will not let this issue rest. He could have left quietly and retired with 48 years’ service but he is determined to clear his name and let everyone know the real reasons behind his dismissal. It is his intention to appeal against the decision taken by Kirklees. UNISON is supporting Paul’s case against Kirklees Council.
UNISON nationally is supporting an application for Interim Relief to an Employment Tribunal on the grounds of Trade Union Victimisation. There is no substance to the allegations against Paul, and he entirely refutes them. This is clearly a case of an employer targeting a leading Trade Union activist.
Until now, neither the Council nor Paul have publicly commented on the details of the case. We understand that a number of libellous allegations are being shared on social media. Copies of these have been sent to Paul Holmes and his legal Team.
Paul is unable to make any public statement due to ongoing legal process.