PCS members at the Equality and Human Rights Commission are fighting a decision to cut 50 posts from its public helpline and to close the Manchester helpline office, where 36 highly trained staff are at risk of losing their jobs.
The move by the Commission comes at a time when staff are struggling to cope with a significant increase in calls to the helpline from individuals and families affected by the recession and follows the rejection of a plan put forward by the staff union, PCS aimed at saving jobs and maintaining services.
Last year the Manchester helpline handled over 50,000 enquiries from members of the public facing discrimination and its closure this autumn will see the loss of valuable skills and expertise.
The helpline closure will also put increased demands on the remaining helpline offices in Cardiff, Birmingham and Glasgow, leading to a potential worsening of the service and to increased pressures on remaining staff as they struggle to cope with the volume of calls.
Helpline workers are the lowest paid at the Commission, but they provide an essential public service, advising ordinary people of their rights if they are suffering from discrimination at work and in other areas of their lives.
Since the recession has deepened, calls to the helpline have increased, particularly from workers facing redundancy because they are on maternity leave, are disabled, from a black or minority ethnic background or because they have caring responsibilities.
This decision comes at the same time as Equality Minister, Harriet Harman has been urging women to seek advice on their employment rights, and the government is researching the impact of the recession on minority groups. We work for the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
We believe in fairness. Our employers don't.
What you can do?
- Raise in your trade union, community group, equality group, and ask them to complain to Trevor Phillips, EHRC Chair, and Harriet Harman, Minister for Women & Equality.
- Sign the No 10 petition: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ehrchelpline
- Write to your MP and ask them to sign the Early Day Motion 1119
- Refer people to our helpline. The contact details are: England: 0845 604 6610; Wales: 0845 604 8810; Scotland: 0845 604 5510
Messages of support & requests for a PCS speaker, please email:
