Attack on Whipps Cross hospital Unison activist

Health workers and campaigners are outraged at the news that Barts Health Trust is threatening disciplinary action against a long standing trade union activist at Whipps Cross hospital.

Charlotte Monro the chairperson for Unison at the hospital has been barred from representing members at the Trust-wide staff consultative forum pending an investigation in connection with her trade union activity.

This is happening at a time when Barts Health Trust has announced concerns over its finances that could threaten the jobs and the future of Whipps Cross Hospital.

The move has been condemned in a letter sent from Unison to Barts Trust Chief Executive Peter Morris calling for the disciplinary threat and ban to be lifted.

Branch secretary for the union Len Hockey said "We take this extremely seriously as an attack on the right of our union and any trade unionist to represent their members effectively and to organise and to speak out and campaign in defence of staff and services.

"Charlotte has a record over many years of campaigning in defence of health workers and health services including to save Whipps Cross Hospital and is widely respected in the hospital and local community.

The union's branch committee has voted "to take every action necessary to stop this attack".

A Whipps Cross Unison press release

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