Government plans to improve employment tribunal procedures could lead to a "barrage" of new claims, the TUC warned today.

The TUC said changes being introduced over the next 18 months, including a three-step procedure for discipline or grievance issues, could "destroy" decent standards workers currently rely on, because firms will only have to stick to "minimal" procedures.

The number of union-backed tribunal cases has fallen by 30 per cent over the past two years.

However, 95 per cent of cases were won or settled.

Tuesday May 6 2003