| Charlotte Monro, an Occupational Therapist in the NHS for 35 years, was dismissed last year over trade union activities exposing cuts to services. Her Union UNISON is supporting her to take her case to employment tribunal claiming unfair dismissal. Charlotte’s tribunal is from 23rd to 26th September. Add your name in support of Charlotte Monro by signing the change.org online petition. No attack on the right to speak out – Safeguard the NHS Charlotte Monro is a well-respected, longstanding staff member and trade union representative at Whipps Cross Hospital. In 2009 Charlotte received a special award from the Trust for her tireless efforts to defend services. The new Barts Health Trust has now dismissed her because she continued to do so! Hundreds of staff are being down-graded and services across East London are being cut. As Unison Branch Chair, Charlotte raised concerns of staff over the impact of cuts on patient care with Waltham Forest Health Scrutiny Committee, and discussed the cuts with her union members. For this she has been sacked! This is an attack on the right to speak out in the NHS, and on the rights of health staff to organise in trade unions and to campaign for services. We believe a climate of silencing staff through intimidation has no place in a caring service. The NHS belongs to all of us. The voice of communities, patients, the health staff and their representatives must be heard, and our contribution to determining the future of services and the NHS be secured. Informed and open debate is needed in a climate of confidence. Statement from Dave Prentis, General Secretary of Unison in support of Charlotte Monro. “Charlotte Monro has worked as an Occupational Therapist in the NHS for 34 years, employed by Whipps Cross NHS Trust – now Barts NHS Trust – since 1987. She was an active trade unionist for many years, representing workers at Whipps Cross Hospital as Staff Side Chair and UNISON Branch Chair. She was dismissed by the Trust on 4 November 2013 following a disciplinary process UNISON is supporting Charlotte in taking Barts NHS Trust to an Employment Tribunal with the claim that she was unfairly dismissed by the Trust. No employer should be allowed to act in this way. No NHS Trust can afford to lose such experienced and committed staff. We call on the Trust to reconsider its decision to dismiss such a long serving and valued health service worker, and union official; and to recognise the impact this has on the wider workforce morale and the reputation of the Trust”. Dave Prentis General Secretary - See more at: http://saveournhs-el.org.uk/?p=30562#sthash.1j7WBUPR.dpuf |