The article about the employment tribunal's judgement on the complaint made by Peter Hedges against the Three Ways Community Association was evidently taken directly from the transcript of the hearing (£2.5k payout for Three Ways "unfair dismissal"', April 11).
It omitted to mention that the general management committee (GMC) of the association obtained legal advice from a retired solicitor at no cost, who advised that Mr Hedges was in fact a "session worker", having signed a contract, and if he failed to understand the conditions he should not have signed it.
The offer of redeployment within the centre at the same rate of payment per hour was valid as there was no evidence of dismissal.
The GMC decided to seek further confirmation from solicitors, at a cost.
Their opinion was similar, although coupled with a recommendation to invite the intervention of ACAS and also an offer to provide legal counsel to represent the association in the tribunal with a barrister and a solicitor at a cost of between £15,000 and £20,000.
ACAS recommended a settlement of £800, which was conveyed to the solicitor representing Mr Hedges. On becoming aware that we were unable to fund the costs of legal counsel, he then demanded a settlement of thousands of pounds.
This then escalated to £12,000 by the time the hearing was conducted.
Mr Hedges was represented by a barrister and a solicitor who both attended the whole two-day hearing, no doubt at a similar cost to his trade union.
The papers containing the case on behalf of Mr Hedges were not received by the association until one and a half days before the hearing, leaving little time for preparation of our response.
This prompted a reprimand from the judge, who then offered the association an adjournment of the hearing which was declined as it was evident an award of some description would be made due to the weighty attendance of the legal profession.
However, it may also be true that had there been no representation on behalf of the association, the entire £12,000 being claimed may have been awarded by default.
Frank Ward, chairman, Three Ways Community Association
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