Victimised for anti-racist report

Submitted by Anon on 1 May, 2003 - 11:22

By Janine Booth, President, Hackney Trades Union Council

On Friday 25 April Hackney Council began its disciplinary hearing against UNISON Equalities Officer John Page. John is accused of "gross misconduct" for allegedly drafting a report which damns the Council's inaction against racism. UNISON Joint Branch Secretary Brian Debus is charged with the lesser offence of "misconduct" for his alleged role in producing the report.
The extraordinary thing is that the Council states that no part of its case against John is that the report is untrue! It seems that it does not matter to them whether there is institutional racism within the Council - it only matters that no-one speaks up about it.

Twice the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has served a 'non-discrimination notice' on Hackney Council - a formal order to get their act together and weed out racism. Yet workers still complain that managers are getting away with racist bullying, and that complaints are not dealt with.

The Council's charges against John and Brian are for action they have taken as union officials. It could not be clearer that this is an attack on the union itself. Council bosses probably hope that a union branch already weakened by the Council's repeated attacks on the workforce (including an across-the-board wage cut of £1,500) will become even less effective if it can get rid of one of UNISON's most prominent representatives.

Hackney Council's case against John and Brian may well be proved to be ridiculous. The danger is that they may sack John Page anyway. Britain's Employment Tribunals are such toothless tigers that even if they find an employer guilty of unfair dismissal, they can not compel that employer to re-employ the sacked worker, only fine them for not doing so. Hackney Council could well decide this is a price worth paying to rid itself of a troublesome union rep.

In this situation, it is only action by the workforce that can save John's job.

Hackney Trades Union Council is actively supporting both the campaign to defend John Page and Brian Debus, and the one for Glenroy Watson (see other article). For more information, or to add your name to the list of supporters of either campaign, please e-mail janine.booth@btopenworld.com, or ring Jane on 07960 798399.

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