I had particular cause to work closely with Bernie Hynes last year when he faced serious victimisation by management as a result of his trade union work - he was a UNISON steward at British Gas.
Management withdrew recognition and instigated disciplinary action for using company facilities to communicate with union members. Despite this Bernie was reelected as a staff representative, with 90% of those balloted indicating support.
Management still refused to recognise Bernie.
Bernie was hampered in fighting his case by the lack of support from the UNISON Regional Officer, backed up by national officers who Bernie saw as in collusion with management.
After internal company procedures were exhausted, and the de-recognition upheld Bernie fought an Industrial Tribunal case industry. and was partially exonerated.
I was impressed throughout Bernie's ordeal at the hands of both management and union bureaucrats, which dragged on for several months at the way he continually tried to involve and encourage the members he represented at every stage He was determined to continue building opposition to British Gas management's plans to drive down pay and conditions across the Pete Firmin, Socialist Outlook