(for those who do not know already, John Burgess is Branch Secretary Barnet UNISON and a longstanding supporter of DPAC)
Text below by a friend of John Burgess
Who needs to apologise to whom as we approach the dates for the hearing on UNISONgate? I have read this apology by John which he made recently and published on Facebook and his Blog.
When asked to explain his apology I’ve noticed John has replied once with this (on facebook): “For legal reasons I am unable to make any comment on this matter.”
This is not how he usually speaks. It stands in complete contrast with the way he speaks about the actions of our employer.
When he’s been asked by others, “have you been gagged?”, again his response is: “For legal reasons I am unable to make any comment on this matter.”
What I do know is that he is now desperately trying to raise money. Whilst John will not comment on why, I smell a stinking rat as do many others. The question everyone is asking is, “Is UNISON asking John to pay compensation?” I guess the only people who know the answer are UNISON and John.
As a trade union member I’d like to know if unison is using members’ money to take legal action against a grassroots rep.
In the meantime I have three requests to make of those in the trade union movement:
1. Please send message of support and solidarity to John Burgess to his facebook page or to me and I’ll pass them on. [or add them as comments to this page and DPAC will pass them on]
2. Please share the facebook posts with others
3. If you can spare some money (and I know this time of the year it is not the best time to ask) you can donate money to help John – details here:
If you wish to donate then please write a cheque to: For William Morris Society and post it to c/o 34 Pioneer House, 46 Britannia Street, London WC1X 9JH.
Alternatively do a bank transfer to: For William Morris Society (Holborn and St Pancras); sort code 60-04-24; acc. no.86807331; NatWest Camden Town Branch, 168 Camden Town High Street, London NW1 0NW,
