Whilst I was over at the Love Music, Hate Racism web site, I noticed comments from two union officials:
John F Smith, General Secretary, Musicians’ Union:
“Our official stance is that the MU deplores the BNP and everything it stands for. We are affiliated to anti racist organisations and we join with the TUC in openly condemning the BNP’s attempts to portray itself as part of mainstream UK politics. Whilst this person has a right to her own personal political views, I believe that the company, as a recipient of public funds, must act in order to maintain its position as a ‘flagship’ for equality and fairness in the arts, and to maintain credibility in the work that it does in the community. Quite how it acts is a matter for the ENB Board.”
Gerry Morrissey, deputy General Secretary, Bectu:
“Simone Clarke earns her living in the subsidised arts and with this goes certain responsibilities, with which she has failed to comply. She has brought our industry into disrepute.”
I really need not comment on what I think of the above but it is interesting to note that there finally appears to be some mature, democratic thinking from at least one union.
Union offers help to BNP ballerina
Equity has offered its assistance to the ballerina at the centre of protests about her membership of the British National Party.
Simone Clarke, an English National Ballet principal and Equity deputy who was revealed as being a BNP member in December, was greeted by placards outside her final performance of Giselle this month, with members of the anti-racist Unite Against Fascism group calling for the company to sack her and some protesters reported to have shouted out at Clarke mid-performance inside the London Coliseum.
This week, Equity has come out in support of the performer’s right to work. According to the union’s rule 3B (p) it “acknowledge[s] the right of individual members to hold and express their personal political and other beliefs both in their private and professional capacities”.
Equity spokesman Martin Brown added: “If ENB were to treat her unfairly, that is something we would expect to represent her for. The law forbids someone from being sacked for their legal political beliefs.
I find the final sentence to be very interesting:
The law forbids someone from being sacked for their legal political beliefs.
Funny how it does not seem to bother any other union or indeed all those politicians and high profile “celebrities" whose names are listed on the UAF website!
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