BRITAIN'S biggest trade union is being taken to an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal by a former official from East Lancashire.

Jim Bowie, who represented 3,500 local Transport & General Workers Union members in his job as Accrington-based regional industrial organiser, was dismissed last October for gross misconduct.

Mr Bowie claims that he is being victimised for raising concerns about the financial management of the union and that he is backed by thousands of members.

"I had 23,000 TGWU members supporting my candidature in 1998 for the position of deputy general secretary when my election address restated my complaints against the administration of the union," said Mr Bowie, who had worked for the union for 11 years.

Mr Bowie, of Hill Street, Baxenden, said the incident that led to his dismissal was the cashing of a cheque for £100 which Mr Bowie says he was entitled to do.

"I have done nothing wrong. I am being victimised."

A spokesman for the union said : "We can confirm that Mr Bowie was dismissed for gross misconduct."

He added that the union did not think it right to comment on the case or on Mr Bowie's allegations before the tribunal. The tribunal is due to be held in Manchester next month.

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