Zena Dodgson (pictured left), UNISON Branch Secretary and Trade Union Facilitator in Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust, is facing attack from the management of the NHS Trust where she works – again.
Below is some information she has sent. She is asking anyone who can to email / write to the CEO of Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust, expressing our concerns.
Zena writes:
“The Trust intends to withdraw my elected Trade Union Facilitator (TUF) seconded post on 16th October.
This is an outrageous attack on union democracy, and on me personally.
The effect will be to weaken the Trade Unions Stewards’ Committee (TUSC) by curtailing its efficiency & effectiveness.
It will also deprive reps & staff of vital support at a time of unprecedented attack on NHS workers & the NHS itself.
The Trust has unilaterally moved outside the current process with ACAS which was agreed between all parties.
This is the 3rd attempt by the Trust to remove me from my elected post since 2008. (I was elected as TUF at its inception since 2005 & have been re-elected annually by TUSC colleagues ever since)
The Trust states this will not effect my Unison roles, but they have repeatedly refused to give me dedicated Unison facility time.
They intend to move me back to my original full time role which I left in 2005. I have 2 degenerative conditions covered by the DDA (Equality Act) which would preclude this now; 1 of these is work-related.
The Trust has discussed none of the above with either the TUSC or myself- all correspondence has taken place by email.”
Please express suitable outrage to the CEO – michael.wilson@sash.nhs.uk
Michael Wilson, Chief Executive Officer
Surrey & Sussex NHS Trust
Maple House
East Surrey Hospital
Canada Avenue
Redhill RH1 5RH
01737 768511, ext 6830
