One million pounds compensation

BECTU's solicitors, Thompsons, recovered over £1million pounds for union members in 1997 according to recently released figures.

Compensation recovered for Industrial Tribunal claimants has seen a massive rise from £75,000 in 1996 to over £220,000 last year.

Compensation for personnel injury on average increased from £11,886 in 1996 to £12,200 last year, and individually ranged from £1,000 to £150,000.

Steve Cavalier of Thompsons said: "It gives Thompsons great satisfaction top know we have managed to extract substantial sums from negligent, recalcitrant and too often uncaring employers. We have also persued a considerable number of claims on behalf of members and members of their families injured, through no fault of theirs, in road traffic accidents - from minor cycling accidents to major pile-ups."

Andy Eagan, BECTU's legal officer, went further: "The legal service continues to develop. Whether it is an accident on the street, or an employment matter that ends up in an Industrial Tribunal, the figures for the last year show that working with the union's solicitors Thompsons, we are there behind the member."