PCS vows to fight back against

victimisation of trade unionists

One speaker summed it up perfectly when he declared "We are seeing a return to the Victorian, tyrannical employer", as bosses crack down on union activists and reps in preparation for the biggest attacks on jobs and conditions since the 1920s. In response to this, the PCS have today launched a campaign against cuts and victimisation, with over 60 people attending the day time rally in support of the victimised trade unionists from the Home Office, Sue Kendal and Mark Hammond.

Lee Vernon, PCS

Sue and Mark were two senior reps in the Home Office who were sacked last year on the grounds of �bringing the civil service into disrepute� after management accused them, without a shred of evidence, of calling a manager �the bride of Chuckey� in a publication. Both reps had been instrumental in building the union and defending members and would have been the key organisers in any future action. These are not isolated incidents, such as in Hastings where over fifteen PCS branch committee have faced disciplinary action in less than three years. This is nothing short of an attempt to demoralise and break any opposition to the coming cuts and will only intensify over the coming period. The PCS however have vowed to fight back against any attempts at victimisation and will fight against all cuts and attacks on its members.
 

To emphasise this point, immediately after the meeting had finished, the union hand delivered notice of its intention to ballot 15,000 of its Home Office members for industrial action.