Is trade unionism a protected belief? Industrial Tribunal will decide.

The third day of the Industrial Tribunal that is set to establish whether bus driver Ashley Reed was unfairly dismissed by Go South (GS) Coast was held today at Southampton Magistrates' Court.

The 3-person panel led by Judge May heard evidence over 2.5 hours from Andy Shaw, the ex-Operations Manager at GS, and the current GS General Manager Mr Richard Tyldsley who was in the witness chair for around one hour. 

Following their submissions, the pair were questioned by RMT member Ashley Reed, a bus driver for almost a decade, who as a result of being dismissed by GS after just seven months employment has in order to win his claim for unfair dismissal to prove that:

'his dismissal was automatically unfair pursuant to section 152 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Consolidation Act 1992 and that it was a discriminatory act because of his philosophical belief which he contends is a protected characteristic pursuant to the Equality Act 2010.'

In blunt terms; 'Was the reason or principal reason for the Claimant's dismissal his past or proposed Trade Union activities?' It is up to Mr Reed to prove this and he will attempt to bring together his case to do so tomorrow in a verbal submission that is restricted to 30 minutes.

The decision on a case that has implications for other trade unionists in the future is due to be announced on this Friday. (27 March 2026) At which point then whatever the outcome this blog will as soon as possible afterwards publish Mr Reed's verbal submission and his earlier full statement. 

Copyright and not to be reproduced. 

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