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Don't let them victimise Penny!

A trade union safety rep was fired last month - just for trying to keep her workplace safe. At the beginning of the national conference of Scottish teaching union EIS, outgoing union president David Drever told delegates the union would ensure 'justice prevails' for Penny Gower, an EIS activist who had been summarily dismissed by Carnegie College in Dunfermline. The disciplinary action started after she undertook a workplace health and safety inspection, a core, legally protected, safety rep function. 'At the time of her dismissal Penny was the elected EIS health and safety representative at the college,' he told delegates. 'There has been a history of problems in relation to Penny's ability to carry out her duties as an EIS health and safety representative and legal action by the EIS had already been initiated in relation to these previous problems.' He added: 'The EIS regards it as entirely unacceptable for any employer, in today's Scotland, to dismiss or otherwise victimise EIS representatives for taking part in legitimate trade union duties and activities. Therefore, could I place on record here that the EIS will continue to provide whatever legal support is necessary to ensure that justice prevails and that no employer can escape the consequences of discrimination, victimisation or anti-trade union activity.'

Email messages of protest to Carnegie College management and copy to Penny's EIS branch. Scottish Educational Journal, EIS, June 2009, page 12 [pdf].

Briefing document (300 words) issued 26 Jun 2009