Four Socialist Party members - Onay Kasab, Glenn Kelly, Brian Debus and Suzanne Muna - are facing bans from holding office in Unison, ranging from three to five years. This was as a result of a leaflet distributed at Unison conference over two years ago!
The four are in the process of appealing against this scandalous action by the Unison leadership.
They are also taking their case to an employment tribunal on the basis that they have been discriminated against because of their political and philosophical views.
Five branch officers were originally investigated, but only the four officers who are also members of the Socialist Party were subject to disciplinary hearings and charges.
The recent high profile legal case, Grainger plc and others, involving a worker who has been told he can take his employer to court on the grounds that he was dismissed because of his views on climate change, is a significant legal breakthrough for the campaign.
Our campaign is using the same legislation, claiming that the four have been discriminated against because of their philosophical beliefs - ie Marxism and Trotskyism - beliefs held by members of the Socialist Party. It is significant that the judge in the above case stated: "Belief in the political philosophies of socialism, Marxism, communism... might qualify."
The campaign to defend the four is going from strength to strength. But the campaign has never relied on legal action alone - that is why the campaign continues to ask for support in the following ways:
Letters of protest to Unison general secretary Dave Prentis: Unison HQ, 1 Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9AJ or email: d.prentis@unison.co.uk. Please send copies to: Defend the Four Campaign, PO Box 858, London E11 1YG or email: info@stopthewitchhunt.org.uk
Unison Appeal Hearings: Please attend the lobby on Monday 16 November at the Holiday Inn, Carburton Street, London, which is the first day of Kas's hearing. There will also be a lobby for Suzanne's first day - Thursday 19 November at the same venue. Brian's hearing starts on 11 January, the venue is not yet known. The results of the appeals will not be announced until all the hearings have taken place.
Employment Tribunal - the next dates are: 15-18 December. Supporters can attend: London Central Employment Tribunal, Ground Floor, Victory House, 30-34 Kingsway, London WC2.
Other events, meetings and protests are being planned. Please check out the website www.stopthewitchhunt.org.uk.
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