All Around the UK subcategories:
UK Towns and cities keywords:
Manchester
Highlight keywords |
Print this article
Search site for keywords: Civil Service - Workers - Unite - PCS - Strike - Unions - North West - Manchester - Redundancy
EHRC workers walk out
Sacked EHRC worker Finola Kelly, photo PCS (Click to enlarge)
Becci Heagney, North West Socialist Party organiser
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) workers took another day of strike action on 1 March after the disgraceful sacking of ten of their colleagues by email last month. The PCS and Unite unions are now demanding the reinstatement of these workers.
EHRC has told the sacked workers that they cannot work the six months' redundancy notice period, despite being paid for it. This means that they do not have access to the internal civil service recruitment process in order to look for new jobs. Management had made an offer that they could work but would not have access to the email, team meetings or the buildings - in effect meaning that they could not proceed with applying for work.
PCS and Unite have one day of strike action each month until May planned. However, members hope that they do not have to take it and that their demands will be met. They have shown already that action gets results.
The original plans were for over 30 people to be made redundant, but successful strikes have whittled that down to the ten that have now been sacked. But, as one person on the picket line in Manchester said: "That's it for the time being, in a few months they will probably come back for more."
Full support should be given to PCS and Unite in their fight for reinstatement for the ten sacked workers and to defend the future of the EHRC.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
LATEST POSTS
12 May Stop Israeli state brutality
 |
9 May Post-election meetings
15 May Birmingham Socialist Party: How can we fight for socialist change and a new workers' party?
17 May Oxfordshire & Aylesbury Socialist Party: The role of the state
18 May Bristol North Socialist Party: Liverpool - history of socialist struggle
CONTACT US
Phone our national office on 020 8988 8777
Email: [email protected]
Locate your nearest Socialist Party branch Text your name and postcode to 07761 818 206
Regional Socialist Party organisers:
Eastern: 079 8202 1969
East Mids: 077 3797 8057
London: 075 4018 9052
North East: 078 4114 4890
North West 079 5437 6096
South West: 077 5979 6478
Southern: 078 3368 1910
Wales: 079 3539 1947
West Mids: 024 7655 5620
Yorkshire: 078 0983 9793
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999