ANGRY trade unionists took to the streets in England and Scotland yesterday over an “unprecedented” attack on workers’ rights by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Ten PCS and Unite union members employed by the statutory body were sacked by email on Thursday afternoon while they were on strike over government cuts and told to clear their desks out by the following day.

PCS Scottish secretary Lynn Henderson said members were facing an “unprecedented situation” and accused management of “marching them off the premises while on strike.”

She told the Star that it was “part of the Tory austerity agenda to pick off public services which seek to make society fairer” and “shouldn’t be tolerated.”

Ms Henderson warned that only giving workers 24 hours’ notice to clear their desks was a clear attempt by bosses to stop workers collecting evidence which could be used against them.

At a rally in Glasgow SNP MP Chris Stephens said it was “an outrageous way to treat any worker — and the fact that these are people employed by an organisation whose statutory duty includes supporting victims of hate crime is a disgrace.”

Mr Stephens wrote to ministers yesterday demanding the government give the funds necessary for EHRC to perform its role as well as to EHRC itself to demand the workers be reinstated.

EHRC said staff would receive pay in lieu of notice, but workers did not agree to this because it closes off opportunities to seek redeployment at the commission or elsewhere in the Civil Service.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “It’s absolutely reprehensible that dedicated staff have been sacked and told to clear their desks with a day’s notice.

“That this has happened at the government body charged with upholding human rights and fair treatment in our society is an absolute scandal and we will continue to fight it.”

Labour MSP and chairman of the PCS Scottish parliamentary group Neil Findlay said he was “very concerned about the impact of these job cuts” adding that the move “exemplifies the Tory government’s blatant disregard for human rights.”

An EHRC spokesman said: “The difficult changes we are making will ensure we can still deliver our ambitious programme and we will remain a robust and independent voice to protect people’s rights.”

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