Workers sacked over darts game lose case

FIVE Rolls-Royce workers who played darts and watched football matches during their shift have lost their unfair dismissal claims.

The engine fitters were on backshift overhauling aero engines at the firm^s East Kilbride plant.

They were all sacked for gross misconduct in November 2006 after a "walk through" of the shop floor.

A production manager - along with two other managers and a human resources adviser - caught two men with darts in their hands while a third had a pen in his hand.

The production manager collected the score sheet which showed the three had completed six games and were on the seventh.

Two other workers in another production area were found sitting watching a Champions League tie.

They complained their sackings were as a result of "a raid". However, a Glasgow tribunal said the firm had acted reasonably, but the penalty was at the harshest end of the scale considering the men^s long service.

Gordon Campbell, of East Kilbride, had five years service; Larkhall^s Clark Fortune had 27; Thornliebank^s Alistair Hope had 23; Harthill^s Andrew Coulter had four; and Blantyre^s Alan Howat had 18.