Photo by David Issacson (http://www.flickr.com/photos/david_isaacson_photography)

MP John McDonnell has added his backing to sacked trade unionist Abdul Omer Mohsin who is going to an employment tribunal on November 7th asserting unfair dismissal and seeking reinstatement to his job with Sovereign Busses where he was Unite union convenor. Sovereign runs buses from Harrow and Edgware Garages. It is part of the French transport giant Transdev which also owns the London United bus company.

When Abdul Omer started work at Sovereign’s Harrow Garage, their drivers were the lowest paid in London. He was elected union rep for Harrow Garage and then convenor for the two garages. He led a campaign, including strike action to bring the wages of drivers at the two Sovereign garages up to the same level as other drivers working for Transdev in London, at a time when the Unite union was campaigning right across London for all bus drivers to receive the same levels of pay.

The action was successful. Sovereign drivers were promised pay increases which would eventually bring their pay in line with other Transdev drivers, an increase of £4,000 a year plus a bonus of £100 a month, but Sovereign sacked him citing a remark made at a disciplinary hearing where he was defending one of his members. However, his supporters are convinced that this was merely a pretext and that the real reason for his sacking was his success as a trade unionist in winning improvements in pay and working conditions for his members. Since Abdul Omer’s sacking, these gains have been lost and Sovereign drivers have refused to elect another convenor to replace him, arguing that his sacking was unfair and he should be reinstated.

John McDonnell MP has issued a statement saying, “Abdul Omer is a tremendous example of a hard working, determined trade union representative, who has dedicated himself to promoting the interests of his fellow workers. We cannot stand by and let him be treated in this way. We need trade unionists like Abdul if we are to protect our members’ jobs, wages and conditions. I am standing up in support of Abdul Omer and I urge all trade unionists to do the same.”

Robert Laird, the Unite union Rep at Edgware Garage says, “Mr Omer is guilty of nothing more than caring too much about what he does and trying to do the best for his members, often while dealing with hostile managers.”

Pete Firmin, President of Brent Trades Union Council is among the many trades unionists supporting Abdul Omer . He says “Management will always try and weaken our ability as workers to defend and improve our jobs and conditions. By sacking union activists like Abdul they hope to undermine those efforts. That’s why its imperative that we defend Abdul and encourage Unite to step up its efforts on his behalf and win his reinstatement.”

The Unite Union is providing legal representation for Abdul Omer at the employment tribunal which will be held on Monday November 7th at Radius House, 51 Clarendon Rd, Watford WD17 1HU and there will be a solidarity protest outside from 9.00 – 10.00 am. For more details contact Raymie Kiernan raymiekiernan[at]gmail.com