PCS: Strong support for first lightning strike by equality staff

PCS: Strong support for first lightning strike by equality staff

PCS: Strong support for first lightning strike by equality staff

There was strong support today (4 May) for the first of two one-hour strikes by Public and Commercial Services union members at the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

There were well-attended picket lines between 11am and 12 noon at the commission’s main offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Manchester. A second walkout is planned for Wednesday 11 May.

Lord Ouseley – former chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, one of the EHRC’s predecessor organisations – joined London strikers to show his support, as did Lee Jasper, one of the founders of Black Activists Rising Against Cuts and a former adviser to Ken Livingstone.

Elsewhere, striking members were joined on picket lines by reps from other PCS workplaces and other unions, anti-cuts campaigners and politicians.

The union is campaigning against a 68% cut in the EHRC budget and plans by the commission to more than halve its staff from 460 to 200 within 12 months.

Funding has already been withdrawn for the EHRC’s helpline and grants programme and the commission has moved forward its plans to close its regional offices.

The cuts would mean employers and public authorities would no longer be held to account if they carried out discriminatory policies.

Lord Ouseley said: “This government’s approach to equality completely lacks credibility; they give no real consideration to the equality implications of what they do, to those that are the poorest, those that are disadvantaged and those that are discriminated against.

“Instead of seeking to improve the EHRC to get the best results for the country they are seeking to destroy it, and what was intended by the legislation that created it.”

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “The strike has been very well supported and shows that these dedicated staff, who are experts in their fields, are prepared to fight to maintain a robust equality and human rights organisation.

“If we don’t stop them, the government’s ideological and totally unnecessary cuts will make it more likely that people will face discrimination and disadvantage.”

ENDS

Notes

– For information and interview requests contact PCS national press officer Richard Simcox on 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216

– The Public and Commercial Services union represents civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 300,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies, and in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK’s sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich – on Twitter @janicegodrich

– Follow PCS on Twitter @pcs_union