Fight the political witch-hunt in Unison

AS PREVIOUSLY reported, four London Unison activists and Socialist Party members are facing a ban from holding office in Unison for three to five years.

The four are Glenn Kelly, national executive member and Bromley branch secretary, Suzanne Muna, branch secretary of the Tenants Services Authority branch, Onay Kasab, Greenwich branch secretary and Brian Debus, Hackney branch chair.

They have now uncovered evidence of Unison officials planning the removal of Unison activists whose politics and views are different to those of the union leadership.

The witch-hunt continues, with recent action taken against Caroline Bedale, the joint branch secretary of Manchester Community Health branch, Alan Docherty, branch secretary of Darlington branch and executive member John McDermott.

John McDonnell MP is now backing the call for an independent inquiry into the allegations made in court against senior Unison full time officials.

In a recent employment tribunal brought by the four Socialist Party members, a London full-time regional officer has alleged that the London regional secretary Linda Perks, the head of London local government Vicky Easton and London head of health, Chris Remington, are all engaged in a conscious policy of undemocratically seeking to remove elected branch officials.

These and other allegations went uncontested by the senior officials. They are extremely serious as they reveal a conscious policy of unelected officials seeking to remove democratically elected branch officers whose views and politics they don't agree with.

It is vital for union democracy that these allegations are independently investigated and, if proven, appropriate action is taken.

We call on all union members and activists to sign the call for the general secretary to set up the independent inquiry.

Please send the following: I (Name /position) call on Dave Prentis to immediately establish an open independent enquiry into the allegations made against Linda Perks/Chris Remington and Vicky Easton. Send to Dave Prentis,1 Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9AJ. Copy to: info@stopthewitchhunt.org.uk
Next dates of the employment tribunal are 15-18 December and supporters are invited to attend. London Central Employment Tribunal, Ground Floor, Victory House, 30-34 Kingsway, London WC2B 6EX.