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TRADE unionists rallied behind sacked Unison rep Charlotte Monro yesterday as she took her bosses to court for unfair dismissal.
Occupational therapist and moving and handling co-ordinator Ms Monro was fired last November after speaking out about cuts at Whipps Cross hospital, where she had worked for the past 26 years.
She was accused of bringing Barth Health NHS Trust into disrepute after raising concerns over the impact of cuts on patient care with her local health scrutiny committee and fellow union members.
The disrepute charge was dropped on appeal but she was still sacked for breaching confidentiality and failing to disclose protest-related convictions dating back to the 1960s and ’70s.
Unison is backing her in an unfair dismissal claim against her employer at an employment tribunal hearing in Tower Hamlets.
Addressing a rally outside the hearing, Norma Dudley of Waltham Forest Save Our NHS said it is important to support staff when they speak out.
“Staff tell managers who escalate complaints up to the chief executive level, they then squash them. That is why trade unions are so important,” said Ms Dudley.
“The message is that the public will support staff when they speak out.”
A nurse called Andy told of “compulsory 12-hour shifts, unpaid overtime, with nurses going home in tears.”
The hearing itself was adjourned, having been scheduled to run for four days, due to the unavailability of the tribunal judges for the full period. It will recommence in January.
