(trigger warning: physical violence described)

Anonymous case study – woman union officer told about violence committed on a fellow colleague:

“A well respected, male elected rep in the same union as I was employed by told me about a violent incident, in public, and at a trade union event. The event took place three months before he told me….

A number of trade unionists were in the pub after a demonstration. A junior grade member of staff was aggressively pinned against a wall by an intoxicated woman official who was two grades above her. She grabbed her neck and shouted in her face that because her husband was a senior national official, she could get her the sack, then scratched her face and drew blood.

I asked the rep who witnessed this what he did about it. He told me there were people putting pressure on the young woman to lodge a complaint. I asked why he couldn’t complain and he said he couldn’t, because it is down to the victim to decide what to do. I lost a lot of respect for that man after he said this.

I also heard people were complaining about the young woman, calling her weak and moaning about what an opportunity it would have been to get this universally loathed woman disciplined.

The young woman’s temporary contract was ended. Her job was replaced by a permanent position and was filled by a former member of the national executive committee.

The person who told me this was a seasoned activist and came from a well organised sector – there would have been nothing they could have done to him if he had raised a complaint. In fact, it would have been more powerful.

Every single one of them who witnessed it should have raised a complaint. I wish I’d been there, as I would have been straight on the phone to senior management.

It sickens me that people who call themselves trade unionists can witness such a violent act and do nothing.

I’m so glad #meTU exists but where is the wider outcry in our trade unions? Where is the solidarity? There’s a veil of silence allowing abuse to flourish in a culture of power and status politics that most people seem to be closing their eyes to. It reminds me of how Jimmy Saville was allowed to get away with his crimes for so long.

I would question anyone calling themselves a trade unionist who can witness abuse and do nothing”

#meTU would like to thank this sister for bringing this to our attention. We know there are many more stories out there.

#meTU exists to be a safe space for us to share our experiences and to discus ways we can collectively campaign to end violence and abuse in our movement.

#meTU also says this can’t be down to just us sisters in this fight – everyone has a role to play, as this case study clearly shows. It’s not good enough to stay silent.

If you would like to speak to someone from #meTU or have your story published in the format above, please get in touch. Email metuwomen@gmail.com