Thanks to the tenacious Lancaster UAF blog for this story about the BNP-linked union Solidarity’s latest campaign.
A County Durham teacher and former BNP candidate, Mark Walker, has been suspended for something related to computer misuse. Solidarity claim it was the innocent popular past-time of visiting the BNP’s website. The head claims it was something else. Lancaster UAF’s rumour mill suggests looking at far-right sites whilst he should have been teaching.
A nice illustration of the personal surfing in the workplace story from last week. It’s not unreasonable to be allowed to use the web in your own time at work, and a good employer will have a policy to support this, albeit with a couple of important caveats:
- So long as it’s your *own* time. That means breaktime, downtime, however your employer defines it. Their definition is unlikely to include “on the clock” or whilst you’re really supposed to be teaching for example.
- So long as what you do on the web isn’t something which could damage your employer or cause offence, like, ooh erm I don’t know… accessing racist and offensive material online maybe?
Unfortunately for Walker, as a member of Solidarity, rather than one of the proper (and recognised) teaching unions, his support is coming from the presumably rather overworked Pat Harrington and in lieu of sympathetic colleagues from the union branch, a motley crew from the BNP, their front groups, and adverts on nazi chatrooms, who popped down to hassle the school on the first day of term.
Fortunately for the rest of us, Walker’s alleged activities put him in a rather different boat from the rest of the nation’s lunchbreak surfers, so if he goes (deservedly) down, he shouldn’t spoil the office daily poke for everyone.
The demonstration outside the school started at 0830. At that time there were about 20 people present. By 1245 when Mark Walker and I arrived there were around 100 people present including many former pupils and sympathetic parents. Most there were locals.
The demonstration was very orderly and we kept it low-key when pupils entered at 1000. This was reflected in a low-level police presence (two for most of the time rising to a maximum of four).
I think that this case raises a number of interesting and important issues (some of which you identify). I can’t really comment on the specifics of the case but I will say that I don’t think it is a straightforward as many currently believe.
I still hope for an amicable resolution though given the confrontational management style it seems increasingly unlikely.
According to a report we have;
‘About 20 fascists turned up. Their numbers were bolstered at various times as curious pupils and ex-pupils arrived to gawp at the spectacle. The odious Patrick Harrington was interviewed by Radio Newcastle. He said that Mark Walker was not present as he might have to work with the headteacher in the future (some hope!). He added that the stress of the suspension has resulted in Walker being under the doctor and he is seeing a counsellor. The fascists finally sloped off by 12.45 just before Mark Walker arrived for the investigatory meeting into his conduct.
Civil Liberty is keen to support Walker in getting his job back so they do not have to divert funds from the BNP to him. Such a move would break Griffin’s heart.’
Thanks chaps,
Well, we’ve all been guilty of a little number fiddling on demos. The police play down numbers on anything but I’ve generally found even them more accurate than most demo organisers. 😉
Counting the turnout during the normal throughput of lunchtime is a good one though – will have to learn that for the future. Shame you didn’t get more police – you could have counted them too 😉
If this is more complex as Pat suggests (at least more complex than Walker’s brother’s case was), I’ll be very interested to follow developments on LUAF.
Lies, damn lies and statistics. Re-classifying supportive parents and ex-pupils as onlookers is very creative. It is also interesting to note that LUAF are stating that the demo dispersed prior to Mark and I arriving (the photos of the event contradict this).
In fact I requested that the demonstration be dispersed after we entered the meeting. This was due to the fact that local police seemed to be getting a little edgy as the local youth were showing an interest. They don’t seem to get on that well.
The press gave the figure of 50 for the demo but they all left at 10.30 after the pupils attending that day had arrived.
I have no interest in fiddling numbers as it is a complete irrelevance to me whether we had 10, 100 or 1000. We made our point.
LUAF are the real fascists. I wonder what kind of society they want? One where you have no privacy at work, no freedom of expression and employers can trample on you if your face doesn’t fit.
I will continue to champion the rights of all regardless. I find it amazing that opponents of the BNP can act in such a non-ideological and counter-productive fashion. Today the BNP is the target but the precedents set will inevitably be used against others.
Counting the turnout during the normal throughput of lunchtime is a good one though – will have to learn that for the future. Shame you didn’t get more police – you could have counted them too
I believe the Headteacher has banned pupils leaving the school during lunchtime. So the counting comment is wrong.
Fortunately for the rest of us, Walker’s alleged activities put him in a rather different boat from the rest of the nation’s lunchbreak surfers, so if he goes (deservedly) down, he shouldn’t spoil the office daily poke for everyone.
The recent case of the eight Unison members from Neath who lost their jobs for looking at Ebay during worktime contradicts this rather smug statement. It is a problem for all Unions not just Solidarity. We have advised our members to avoid any use of the Internet at work which is not directly work related.