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Press Release

Unite members protest at EHRC cuts to job and services

22 February 2012

Members of Unite will be protesting about swingeing cuts to jobs and services at the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) tomorrow (Thursday, 23 February).

Unite, the largest union in the country, believes that the work of this flagship organisation will be severely hit by cuts with the budget being axed by 63 per cent and staff cut by 72 per cent by 2015, compared to 2007 levels.

Unite EHRC members will be showing support to the PCS union, which is taking industrial action tomorrow, at the back of the Norton Rose Building in Tooley Street, London, SE1 2RG - EHRC's headquarters - from 8.30am until 2:00pm. There will be a similar protest at the EHRC's Lancaster House, Birmingham.

In a briefing for MPs, Unite said: 'The frontline services such as the Helpline, grants function, mediation, regional outreach work with communities and most casework are to be axed, the staff levels cut by over 60 per cent, and the overall budget to be slashed from £70m at its inception in 2007 to as little as £17m by 2015.'

'All Helpline staff give telephone and email advice to individuals with discrimination complaints, and the regional team work with stakeholders and local communities. The expertise of expert and experienced staff will be thrown away and crucial services will be lost.'

Unite regional officer, Di Scott-Brown said: 'The EHRC is collaborating with the coalition by pushing forward with these cuts which will have the effect of dismantling the progress in equality and human rights that this country has made in recent decades.'

'Our members feel that they have been fobbed off by the management whenever they have come up with constructive proposals to ameliorate the financial situation facing the organisation.'

'The level of cuts to staff have yet to become clear, but we understand that the EHRC wants a workforce of 150-180, down from a total of 475.'

TUC's General Secretary, Brendan Barber has written to Home Secretary, Theresa May expressing concern.



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