Reinstate Martin Warsama

AFTER FIVE months of delay, Doncaster UNISON branch secretary Martin Warsama's disciplinary hearing has been organised for 2 May.

Mike Forster

Martin is facing three separate charges, two to do with alleged leaks to the local press concerning one of his clients when he was a social worker.

The journalist involved in writing the story and the councillor who actually contacted the press have both sworn statements in Martin's defence to say he was not the leak.

However, the third charge Martin is facing is from the joint branch secretary and regional UNISON treasurer, Frank Perks who is appearing for the management against Martin, with a trumped-up charge of harassment!

Many UNISON activists will be asking how such a senior UNISON official can be allowed to sit on the employer's side of a disciplinary hearing to try and sack his fellow branch secretary.

Doncaster UNISON members are disgusted. They have been let down again by the regional officials.

A ballot over a single status deal, brokered with management, took place two weeks ago for which hundreds apparently did not receive ballot papers. And the first to be told the result were the council leaders!

The Doncaster UNISON branch committee has demanded a special meeting to discuss single status. A vote of no confidence has already been tabled in the UNISON officials involved in the deal.

Unfortunately, some activists think it's now not worth being a member of the union. They have to be persuaded to stay and fight. A battle has been lost but there is a more important struggle to transform the union into a fighting unit.

There will be a mass lobby of Martin's disciplinary hearing on 2 May. The anger in Doncaster has to be channelled to ensure that Martin's suspension is lifted and that he is allowed to continue as branch secretary.

Please keep the letters of support flooding in, thanks to all those who have so far pledged support.

Messages of protest: Melvyn Thomas, Executive Director, Social Services, PO Box 251, The Council House, College Rd, Doncaster DN1 3DA. Fax: 01302 737857

Messages of support: Doncaster UNISON, 55-57 Netherhall Rd, Doncaster DN1 2PG. Fax: 01302 368968

Demand UNISON Support Martin: Cliff Williams, Regional Secretary, UNISON, Commerce House, Wade Lane, Leeds LS2 8NJ. Fax: 0113 2448852.

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