The GMB said the Employment Appeal Tribunal has ruled that HM Coastguard officers are workers and a contract existed between the parties in circumstances where they had the right to be remunerated for their activities.
The hearing centred around a coastguard officer, Martin Groom, who campaigned to prove he was a worker and not a volunteer. The GMB said the outcome of the case has potential implications for the voluntary sector as a whole as it rows back on previous case law finding volunteers not to be workers in every case.Gary Smith, GMB general secretary, said: “This is a landmark win for coastguards, and workers, everywhere.“This ruling demands that their employers do the same.”
Martin Groom said: “This judgment brings a level of responsibility to HM coastguard to treat officer with a respect and dignity they haven’t been shown before.“I’d like to acknowledge the effort, time and input of GMB, without the union we would not have been able to fight the case.”We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues.