A COUNCIL in Kent has been accused by the GMB of victimising a union representative after he lodged a complaint about bullying.

The union said that managers at Thanet Council have twice suspended the union activist, who raised grievances in June and July last year.

GMB is accusing the council bosses of trying to “gag” the trade unionist by instructing him to sign a non-disclosure agreement on the issue.

The union has written to the council stating that the trade unionist’s email account has been hacked and his personal belongings have been removed from his office.

GMB and public service union Unison have written to the council asking for an investigation of the management’s actions.

Their letter states: “The joint trade unions believe that by carrying out a truly independent investigation, and ensuring that the recommendations come from someone independent of the council, Thanet District Council will be able to close this very bad chapter in its history.”
          
A spokesperson for the council said that it “will not discuss human resources matters in public.”