Pancras branch THE NATIONAL Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux -well known for its championing of rights at work - has sacked Glenn Sutherland, a leading trade unionist who has worked for the organisation for 19 years.
Union members at NACAB believe that Glenn has been victimised As one union cavites aver the years. MSF, the union which represents staff at NACAB, is organising a ballot of members with a taking industrial action.
MSF St Pancras branch, of which Glenn is Chair, has unanimously passed a motion of support, as has the MSF London Region.
A spokesperson said "All staff are lisgusted by the way Glenn had been treated and I have no doubt that there will be an overwhelming People are fed up with the hy.
pocrisy of an organisation that preaches to others about how to behave and then does this to someone who has worked for them for 19 years.
This is the first time there has been a ballot for an official strike at NACAB - that shows how strong the feeling is. We are all very pleased that MSF is giving Glenn their full support."
No notice Sutherland was sacked without the twe/ve weeks paid notice his long service at NACAB had entitled him to. NACAB management said that they could do this because he was guilty of 'gross misconduct'. His 'offence was that he had used a photocopier to do some personal photocopyin- union and our political material - without asking for permission.
At the disciplinary hearing management admitted that they did not have a policy on personal use of protocopiers. une manager described personal photocopying as "a free for all".
MSF conducted a survey to find out what current practice was and every single respondent said that hey had used photocopying facil ties for personal use. JACAB mar agement has decided to ignore this and to single out Glenn. This is one of the reasons why his colleagues believe that he is being victimised -punished for his union activities at NACAB The cost of the photocopying was £12.48 and Glenn had offered to pay this. What price 19 years service!
Chris Smith - Glenn's MP - has expressed concern at NACAB's actions and said that he is taking the matter up with NALAB's Chief Executive.
Letters of protest should be adressed to Ann Abraham; NACAB Chief Executive, I15-123 PentonVille Road. London N 9L7 Copies and messages of support to The Secretary, MSF St Pancras Branch, 80 Pembroke Street, Lon. don NI ODP.