Re-instate Karen Reissmann

Karen Reissmann, UNISON Health SGE member, and union rep in Manchester where she has been the victim of the most disgusting and shameful attack on her integrity by an employer who would risk everything including patient safety in order to push through a fatuous disciplinary case against a dedicated trade unionist and a respected nurse. Karen's only crime in her career has been to stand up for the service she works in, the patients she works for and the staff she works with. For that, her employer has suspended her for months and conducted a bizarre and groundless investigation, culminating in a five-day disciplinary hearing. Karen should hear this week what the outcome of that hearing will be, and if there is any justice left in the NHS she will be cleared of all the charges.

Anybody, whether health worker or not, who can afford to make a donation to Karen's branch, to cover the hardship of her colleagues who have already taken 11 days' strike action in protest at the Trust's treatment of Karen, should do so. Employers have to learn that when they pick on one trade unionist, they take on the entire movement. We are millions strong, and neither we, nor our employers, should ever forget that.

Good luck, Karen!