Dear All,
One of our Branch Officers and a Regional Committee delegate, Lee Rock, is facing charges of serious misconduct by the department following his appearance on the BBC Look North programme last December.
Background:
800 Budgeting Loan applications were lost in transit from Sheffield BDC to the North East where they were being sent for processing. As in a series of similar incidents at the time, TNT lost the packages and customers were being left without payment with the official "line" from the department being to cover up the loss from the public.
The BBC approached our branch for comment and Lee went on the programme, urging customers to get in touch with their office and referring to the cuts in staffing that had led to the movement of work.
Management Action:
Lee now faces a serious misconduct charge which the Sheffield Branch and PCS believe is an attack on the whole union. Lee will be represented next week by a Group Full Timer denying the allegation of disclosure of official information.
What you can do:
Branches should contact their MPs - see proforma letter attached - and invite Lee to their AGMs or BECs. This is yet another victimisation case against a union rep with a record of fighting the cuts and must be stopped.
Steve Lloyd PCS A/Branch Secretary Sheffield DWP Branch 07929 169428