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(Action Alert) - Letter to George Reid, Presiding Officer, The Scottish Parliament

ACTION ALERT - Please send a variation of the following letter (in your own words) to:  [email protected]


Dear Mr. Reid,

As a supporter of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in the British Isles, I am appalled that the Scottish Parliament intends to suspend the pay and benefits of 15 parliamentary workers, including members of parliament. This suspension will affect our members' pay, access to their workplace and benefits, including contributions to their pensions, and allowances which are primarily used to pay staff salaries.

By threatening IWW members' livelihoods, the Scottish Parliament is violating their dignity and security.

By excluding the Scottish Socialist Party and union representatives from the meeting that made this decision, the Scottish Parliament sought to silence our members and strip them of their right to defend themselves.

We condemn the Scottish Parliament for its severe reaction to a harmless protest for free speech and free assembly in Scotland during the G-8 meeting. As a result, workers now face punishment for their association with the SSP. This is unfair.

We demand you stop this plan to violate our members' rights and dignity. Furthermore, the IWW demands to be present with voice at any further negotiations, hearings or attempts to discipline our members.

No worker wants the Scottish Parliament to become another institution of oppression.