Union boss who made just nine phone calls in 562 hours of time off to represent workers loses race discrimination case
A union boss who sued UNISON for racism when his branch post was handed over to a white man has been left with a £15,000 legal bill after inspectors found his output during 562 hours of taxpayer-funded leave to represent workers amounted to just nine phone calls.
Kebba Manneh, a senior NHS physiotherapy technician who chairs UNISON’s national black worker committee, lost race discrimination cases against both his union and his Welsh employer, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, after the courts rejected every complaint he brought.
Manneh, who also serves as a senior judge and chair of Cwmbran Community Council, was given 7.5 hours a week paid leave from NHS duties to carry out union branch work; this was an arrangement funded by the medical board and ultimately the taxpayer.
But when the regulation came up for review in 2023, UNISON’s branch secretary Andrea Prince investigated its output over a 75-day period (the equivalent of 562 hours of paid leave).
He concluded that the volume of branch work was so low that his temporary assignment could not be renewed, and he realized it was only nine phone calls.
Manneh claimed that the decision to eliminate facility time was an act of racial discrimination and that his position was handed over to a white man.
He took action against UNISON and also against the medical board, alleging racial harassment and direct discrimination.
The case against UNISON was dropped before it could reach a hearing.
Kebba Manneh, a senior NHS physiotherapy technician who chaired UNISON’s national black workers’ committee, lost race discrimination cases against both his union and his employer
Manneh, who also serves as a senior judge and chair of Cwmbran Community Council, was given 7.5 hours a week of paid leave from NHS duties to carry out union branch work.
Labor Judge R Evans found the documentary evidence ‘completely clear’ and said Manneh had not produced a single piece of supporting evidence despite being asked three times.
The judge also found that Manneh, who holds a master’s degree in labor relations from Keele University, had caused much of the delay in investigating the complaint, which he blamed for discrimination.
Their separate claims against the medical board were dismissed after a five-day hearing in November 2025.
Manneh was ordered to pay £15,000 towards the medical board’s legal costs.
Manneh, who has been with the health board since 1994, has a master’s degree in labor relations from Keele University and has been a magistrate for 22 years.
From his modern terraced house in Cwmbran, south Wales, he said he could not comment on the outcome of the employment tribunal and his legal fees.
He said: ‘I need to discuss things with my lawyers, there are still matters that need to be sorted out.’
Manneh, who has been with the health board since 1994, has a master’s degree in labor relations from Keele University and has been a magistrate for 22 years.
