A TRADE union activist with nearly four decades in the Civil Service to his credit has won an employment tribunal (ET) case against the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Nottingham ET concluded that the DVSA had displayed “an anti-union animus” in trying to stop Paul Williams from carrying out his activities for the PCS union.

Despite his vast experience, Mr Williams, a member of the PCS national executive, had applied unsuccessfully for 28 posts after he turned down voluntary redundancy when his department was reorganised.

In 2019, after securing a post in the finance team, Mr Willams had his trial period extended without explanation and was later told that he would be given the role permanently only if he agreed to reduce his trade union “facility time” from 50 per cent to 20 per cent.

PCS went into dispute with the agency, which subsequently withdrew Mr Williams’s facility time altogether.

He was later shortlisted for a post in the DVSA human resources department, only to be told by its boss in an email that he would have to give up his union role if he wanted to proceed with the application.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said that the case had uncovered some of the most appalling anti-union practices he had seen.

“DVSA’s treatment of Paul Williams — a long-standing trade unionist with an excellent record — was an absolute disgrace and effectively an attack on every one of our members in the department,” Mr Serwotka said.

“I am very glad the ET saw the reality of what the employer was trying to do, which was to discriminate against someone who has decades of proud service to the trade union movement.”

A further hearing will be held to decide what remedy Mr Williams is to receive.

A DVSA spokesperson said: “DVSA recognises and values the work of our trade unions and the support they provide colleagues.

“We do not comment on individual staffing matters.”