UNION members at the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB) are still taking action to defend union activist Glenn Suther. land, sacked after 19 years under the pretext of unauthorised photocopying.
Two highly successful days of have already been held, on Monday 14 and Wednes. day 23 April.
On both days no member of the main MSF union group went in at the London offices, and half of the 14 offices around the country (where union membership is weaker) were closed for the day.
Appeal
Although Glenn lost his appeal on Tuesday 15 April, he certainly won the arguments. The appeals panel clearly felt they were not sufficiently independent of management to overturn against the sacking. Their uncertainty is reflected in the fact that it took wo weeks for Glen to be informed in writing of the decision and he has still not received the minutes of the appeal hearing.
Stronger
Despite this, the second day's strike was stronger than the first.
New members joined MSF in order to be able to participate in the second strike, and the union group is now stronger than ever.
A special meeting of NACAB's Council has been called for May 23 solely to discuss the case, a very rare event which has possibly only happened once before in cil members need to sign a request for such a mecting, and twice as many did.
There remains a question mark over what the Council can do, since in recent years it has tended to allow line management a free hand to do as it wishes.
While some of the Council's members are progressive, with a trade union background, others are charity workers with limited understanding of workers' rights.
A well attended meeting of the MSF NACAB union group on April 30 decided to continue the fight. There will be another day of strike action, with the London offices out on the day of the Council meeting and the out-of-London offices out just before.
It has yet to be decided whether there will be a lobby of the Council meeting: there will be a statement from the union to the meeting.
Messages of protest are needed to NACAB, from union branches, MPs and councillors. Chris Smith, the local Labour MP, has been very supportive. Messages or protest should specifically ask for them to be brought to the attention of the Council.
Messages of protest should be sent to: Helena Shovelton, Chair, NACAB Council, c/o MACAB, 115-123 Pentonville Road, London N1 9LZ.
Copies and messages of support should be sent to: Jennie Twydell, Secretary St. Pancras branch MSF, 80 Pembroke Street, London N1 ODP. Terry Conway