Caroline Bedale is the Joint Branch Secretary of UNISON Manchester Community and Mental Health branch. She is a long standing, leading member of NHS Manchester Joint Staff Side Committee. She is threatened with suspension from holding any UNISON office, even as a staff side representative, by UNISON National Executive. Caroline is accused of 'acting in a manner prejudicial to UNISON' during the campaign to defend Karen Reissmann and the right of trade unionists to speak out against cuts and privatisation, last year. We, the undersigned: consider Caroline Bedale an asset to the trade union movement, who has brought respect to UNISON; ask UNISON Disciplinary Committee to withdraw the charges that Caroline Bedale has broken rules and acted in a manner 'prejudicial to the union'. Caroline has provided advice, support and representation for many trade union members faced with disciplinary issues, organisational change and even threat of redundancy. She has also played a major role on the Joint Staff Side Committee, leading negotiations on policy, service and procedures. So now NHS Manchester has some of the best policies and procedures within the NHS. It also has above-average membership of a trade union. UNISON's Disciplinary Committee's suspension of Caroline Bedale is prejudicial to the union. It is an unjustified and unnecessary diversion from the main tasks of defending a good quality, public NHS that is healthy and sustainable for its employees and clients. The petition will be sent to UNISON NEC and General Secretary before Caroline's appeal, some time in the new year.

Note added 14th March:  Do not believe the lie in signature No 66.  NO members' money or UNISON funds were spent to pay for a private solicitor for Karen Reissmann.

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