Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) will take part in a peaceful vigil on Monday, November 20 from 6pm outside the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London as part of Transgender Day of Remembrance.
The vigil will be one of many activities taking place in cities across the world to remember those who have lost their lives to transphobic violence and hate crimes.
A transgender member of V&A staff was recently dismissed by the V&A after many months of reporting hate crimes to their management. PCS has represented and supported the member since spring 2016.
V&A has dismissed the member for “some other substantial reason”, a ‘catch all’ reason allowed under employment legislation.
The V&A has made it clear that the Transgender member has not done anything wrong and that the primary reason for the dismissal are security issues and the inability of the V&A to protect the member and others from risks and dangers in a manageable way.
PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka, said: “We strongly support transgender day of remembrance. PCS believe that all workers should feel safe and be protected in their place of work, regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. Transphobia must have no place in our workplaces and among our communities.
“We have been supporting our member in this case for well over a year. Our member has been unfairly dismissed by the V&A. The actions of management in blaming the victim should be condemned by everyone. We ask that the V&A reverses the decision to dismiss and has an open dialogue with appropriate agencies to deal with all relevant security concerns. We will continue to stand up for our member and for all transgender members who face prejudice and discrimination in the workplace and in society.”
PCS represents civil and public servants in central government and in parts of government transferred to the private sector.
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