Played a small part today in a national day of solidarity activity in support of Karen Reissman, sacked mental health nurse and UNISON activist (fellow Service Group Executive member, no less). Thousands of UNISON members in dozens of workplaces organised brief lunchtime protests to show their support for Karen, and for the members in her UNISON branch who have been out on strike ever since she was sacked.

I've already written about how important it is that we win this dispute, that NHS Trusts do not feel they can victimise effective trade unionists with impunity, so I will just add that as Karen's appeal against her dismissal is going on this week, I hope she will soon be back at work.

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.

The very front of the march. They may all "heart" the NHS, but only one of them works in it. Which one? Anyone know?

Epitomising the East Midlands region - cheerful spirit, dedication to the cause and a complete inability to ever stop talking - it's Norman Wilson, our joint regional health convenor from Nottingham Healthcare Branch. What would we do if he ever took a holiday? Did someone say "change the locks"?

Caroline Bedale and Kate Ahrens, Manchester and Leicester respectively, two members of UNISON's Health Service Group Executive who have always spoken and voted for action against the cuts and privatisation in the NHS, and fought for the union to pursue our members' interests with energy and principle. Without their work, and their repeated criticisms of the national leadership of UNISON for their slothfulness, we probably wouldn't have even had the demonstration...

Leicestershire's branch banner, nestling in behind the national UNISON banner. Note how theirs is on wheels so the full time officers don't have to exert physical effort to carry it. I thought Dave Prentis and Keith Sonnett would be taking a pole each, but it never happened...

Behind the Leicestershire Health branch banner is the one we got made specially for last year's NHS demonstration in Leicester, which we always take on demonstrations now, to be carried jointly by health workers and community campaigners. 

Sterling work was done by John Hipwell (L) and Bill Greasley (R) who carried the banner pretty much all day, and managed to get it back on the coach in one piece afterwards. Not only that, but they got us a prime position right at the front of the march. Thanks, guys!