Severe cuts and 'changing role' of equalities body prompts strike action on 6 June

3 June 2011

Unite members at the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) are taking strike action on Monday, 6 June to protest at proposed job cuts and the changing role of the organisation.

Unite, the largest union in the country, believes that plans to slash the number of full-time equivalent posts from over 450 to about 200/250 jobs by April 2012 is motivated by the desire of top management to change the EHRC from an organisation which helps those suffering from discrimination and human rights breaches to a 'think tank' role.

Unite members, in conjunction with PCS members, will be taking one-hour long strike action between 11.30 - 12.30 on Monday on 6 June in London and Birmingham. It is probable that further strike action will take place on 30 June.

Unite regional officer, Richard Munn said: 'We believe that the driving force behind these proposed cuts is the desire to turn the EHRC into a 'think-tank ' and move away from giving frontline help in a very practical way to those facing discrimination, as well as human rights breaches in their many forms.'

'Plans are afoot to close regional offices, and the helpline and grants function are under threat as well. The senior management has shown itself to be very wary in discussing their plans with the unions in a constructive fashion.'

'Senior managers have also not given any guarantee that there will be no compulsory redundancies. The whole original ethos of the EHRC, when it was set up in 2006, is being pawed over by expensive external consultants. The public should be worried about the direction the EHRC is taking.'

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