THE CFMEU has been ­ordered to pay thousands of dollars to a former employee who was sacked because of his political affiliations.

In a landmark case, ­Muhammed Ali Sayed fought the militant union in court after he lost his job when it was discovered he’d been a member of the Socialist ­Alliance.

The law graduate was hired as a trade union organiser in 2013 to work as part of a historic mining alliance between the CFMEU and the Australian Workers’ Union. But he lasted just three months before being fired for his links to the Socialist Alliance.

Mr Sayed quickly drew the ire of his bosses and was ­accused of making derogatory comments about the AWU, and was questioned about his position in the Socialist Alliance.

He was also questioned over a post on his personal Facebook page. In a Federal Court action Mr Sayed denied allegations of wrongdoing and said he was targeted because of his suspected involvement in the Alliance.

Mr Sayed’s case was the first general protection dismissal case for the Federal Court to consider a new definition of “political opinion” under Julia Gillard’s Fair Work Act.

McDonald Murholme senior associate Andrew Jewell said political opinion was ­defined for the first time in an employment matter.

The definition was inclusive and included “the applicant’s membership of, and involvement in the activities of, the Socialist Alliance constituted the holding and manifestation of a political opinion”.

“Mr Sayed has a right to have his own political opinion without affecting his employment,” Mr Jewell said.

Mr Sayed was awarded six months’ remuneration, less money paid on termination, plus $3000 in damages.

He also has the potential to apply for a penalty.

shannon.deery@news.com.au