Support Max Watson and Jawad Botmeh!

I am reproducing below a message sent by the London Metropolitan University Branch of UNISON to its members, concerning a vital lobby taking place tomorrow (13 February). If you can possibly support this important event please do!

STOP THE WITCH HUNT - DEFEND JAWAD AND MAX!
JOIN THE LOBBY 2-3PM WEDNESDAY 13 FEB, ROCKET ENTRANCE TOWER BUILDING

Dear All

STOP THE WITCH HUNT - DEFEND JAWAD AND MAX! JOIN THE LOBBY 2-3PM WEDNESDAY
13 FEB, ROCKET ENTRANCE TOWER BUILDING

** Three weeks ago the VC threatened to derecognise your UNISON Branch.*

*
** One week ago your Branch Chair and the union supported, newly elected
staff governor were suspended.**

Max Watson, your Chair, and Jawad Botmeh, the elected staff governor and a
FSSH staff member at the Working Lives Research Institute Jewry Street,
have been suspended by the University pending investigation of a 'serious
matter of concern' relating to 'gross misconduct'. HR have failed to
provide clear reasons for this, but we are told it relates to Jawad's
appointment to the University five years ago. We regard this as the latest
in a series of escalating attacks on your democratic right to Union
representation by your Union, in an attempt to weaken the defence of your
rights UNISON are fighting for.

SOME BACKGROUND...
*Jawad and Max have done nothing wrong.* They have not in any way acted
improperly and did not mislead HR regarding Jawad's appointment as a staff
member.

We are completely convinced that Jawad's 1996 conviction for conspiracy to
cause explosions was an appalling miscarriage of justice. Amnesty
International <http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=14085>,
UNISON's
National Delegate
Conference<http://unison.co.uk/MotionText.asp?DocumentID=992860>and
the MPs who signed an early-day
motion <http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2003-04/111> all share this view.

Local MP Jeremy Corbyn also takes this position on Jawad's innocence and
fully supports Max and Jawad  (see attached letter of support).

Regardless, Jawad *declared* his conviction on application to work at
London Met, and legally has a right to be employed at the University.
Indeed, London Met HR were made aware of Jawad's conviction some time ago.
UNISON are proud that Jawad is employed at the University, and that we work
for a progressive institution (or so we thought) that actively supports the
right to work, enshrined in article 23 of the Human Rights Act.  We are
proud to have Jawad as a member of our Branch and also of the ongoing
support UNISON has shown him over the years, shown by the motion passed at
the 2003 UNISON National Delegate Conference (see above) which clearly
advocates Jawad's conviction was unjust.

JOIN THE LOBBY 2-3PM WEDNESDAY 13 FEB, ROCKET ENTRANCE TOWER BUILDING
*We urge ALL members to support Jawad and Max and attend a lobby
2.00-3.00pm Wednesday 13th February - Rocket Entrance, Tower Building.*
The short notice for the lobby is due to Jawad's formal hearing being held
this Wednesday at 2.30pm despite the fact that Jawad is on annual leave and
unable to attend - please come and make your voice heard!

Your Union has been there to support you and now we are asking you to
support your Union.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

  - Attend the Lobby.
  - Send messages of support and solidarity to unison@londonmet.ac.uk :
  encourage friends, colleagues in other institutions and your community to
  do the same
  - Donations to support campaigning - cheques to UNISON London
  Metropolitan University gratefully received.

A national mass of support is already building around both Jawad's and Max's
cases and will continue to grow. We feel Jawad has suffered enough and does
not deserve a further injustice at the hands of London Metropolitan
University. We are convinced that Max is being targeted purely becuase of
the strength and leadership he has shown as your London Met UNISON Chair.
An attack on Max and Jawad is an attack on all London Met UNISON members
and we must stand shoulder to shoulder with them.  We are prepared to take
all actions necessary to defend Jawad and Max and therefore all our
members' rights to be represented.

In solidarity,

Catherine Maguire
Alex Tarry
Allan Pike
Eddie Rowley
Jonathan McCree
Susan Lloyd
Karl Acquah
David Summers
Ivan Roman Orgaz
Megan Redmond
Sara Masson
Chris Manna
Jim McKenzie
Ros Hanmer
Yola Adeyemi Laurence
*On behalf of the London Met UNISON Branch Committee*

Claire Locke
Anthony Cannon
Harry Lister - UNISON London Regional Organiser
Sandy Nicoll - SOAS UNISON Branch Secretary

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