Dear Editor,

We, the undersigned, wish to convey our disgust at the act of hate crime vandalism
carried out on the car of Barnet UNISON branch secretary John Burgess on 8th July.
We note this attack took place two weeks after his name appeared in support of a
planned anti-fascist protest in Golders Green and 10 days after John and the Barnet
UNISON banner featured prominently in the trade union block on the Pride
March. Given this background we do not think either the manner of the attack or the
homophobic language used were coincidental. We also believe that the way in
which some sections of the media and some politicians have chosen to vilify trade
unions, has played a role by seeming to legitimise such an individual attack as has
been suffered by John Burgess. John is an elected official who enjoys the support of
his branch membership. If this attack was an attempt to silence the work of John or
the branch he represents, then it has failed. We will not stand aside and allow a
fellow trade unionist, who has set an outstanding example over several years, to be
intimidated in this way. We call on all supporters to join the Barnet UNISON branch
on the community demonstration 12th September in Barnet to save Barnet Libraries
at 11.15 a.m. Church End Library N3 1TR.
For full list of signatories http://www.barnetunison.me.uk/?q=node/1615
If you wish your name to be added, please write to contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Dave Prentis, General Secretary UNISON

Mark Serwotka, General Secretary, PCS
Christine Blower, General Secretary of NUT
Ian Hodson, National President BFAWU
John McDonnell MP
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Chris Stephens MP
Aditya Chakrabortty, Senior Economics Commentator,The Guardian
John Hendy QC
Bush Hill Park Labour Party
Nicola Field, Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (pc)
Gethin Roberts, Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners
Weyman Bennett, Joint Secretary Unite Against Fascism
Barnet Alliance for Public Services
Tirza Waisel, Barnet Alliance for Public Services
Barbara and Bob Jacobson, Barnet Alliance for Public Services
Chris Kaufman, Chairman, Enfield Alliance Against the Cuts
Social Work Action Network
Ellen Clifford, Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC)
Paula Peters, DPAC
Debbie Jolly DPAC
Roger Lewis DPAC
Linda Burnip, DPAC steering group
Helen Davies, NEC and Branch Chair Barnet UNISON

Jon Rogers, NEC and Branch Secretary Lambeth UNISON

Sonya Howard, NEC and Branch Secretary Kensington and Chelsea UNISON
Max Watson, NEC and Branch Secretary London Metropolitan University UNISON
John McLoughlin, Local Government Service Group Executive and Branch Secretary
Tower Hamlets
Sue Plain, Local Government Service Group Executive and Branch Secretary,
Southwark UNISON
Sean Fox, Haringey LG joint branch secretary & NJC
Andrew Berry, UNISON National Labour Link Committee
Roger Tichborne, Barnet Eye blog
Theresa Musgrove, Broken Barnet blog
Derek Dishman, Mr Mustard blog
John Dix, Mr Reasonable blog
Cllr Amy Trevethan, Barnet Council
Cllr Paul Edwards, Barnet Council
A M Poppy, Barnet Green Party
Adele Ward, Barnet Green Party
Ray Knight, Branch Secretary, Bush Hill Park Labour Party
Patrick Hunter, Barnet Trades Council Secretary
Paul Coles, GMB Convenor, Barnet
Keith Nason, Barnet NUT Division Secretary
Greg Edwards, Fire Brigades Union Barnet Borough Rep
Kevin Courtney, Deputy General Secretary, NUT
Julie Davies Divisional Secretary Haringey NUT
Candy Udwin PCS National Gallery
Alan Wylie, Unison Member & Library Campaigner
Onay Kasab, Unite Regional Officer
George Binette, Camden UNISON Branch Secretary
Phoebe Watkins and Barry Walden, joint Chair Camden UNISON
Glenn Kelly, Bromley UNISON Branch Secretary
Gavin Mott/Esther Rey, Joint Branch Secretaries Hounslow LG Branch UNISON
Laurie Pocock, Croydon UNISON Branch Secretary
Matt Ratcliffe, Hillingdon UNISON Branch Secretary