[PHIL McEntee, a NUPE shop steward at the…]

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PHIL McEntee, a NUPE shop steward at the London Hospital, Whitechapel, has been suspended from duty and accused of fraudulently altering a control sheet.

Management had a hard time finding a charge that would stick. They first said he had been seen outside the hospital at 3.05pm on 4 May by a hospital administrator who was faking a "late lunch But they then realised that this was during Phil's tea break.

So they changed the time to 2.55pm - outside his teabreak.

Next Phil was asked to account for the whole afternoon up to 2.55pm.

At a hearing with management on August 12, Phil accounted for the work he had done that afternoon. His case was supported by NUPE and his supervisor.

After the hearing had finished management presented "new evidence" - a typewritten, unsigned statement by an unnamed patient.

Undeterred, management have now suspended him and want a new hearing.

As a NUPE leaflet from the hospital put it: "The shifting nature of the allegations, with the charges now changing three times, gives rise to the belief that management is desperately looking for a way to dismiss Phil McEntee."

The porters went on strike immediately, demanding the reinstatement of their steward. On Tuesday 17 August a NUPE mass meeting of 400 workers voted overwhelmingly for all-out action and the withdrawal of emergency cover.

It is the first real decision for all-out action in living memory at the London. The London Ambulance service are being approached for blacking of the London Hospital.

Phil's reinstatement iS vital. Management have already been making threatening noises to other stewards about the amount of time being spent on union activities. They're clearly going out to destroy any union strength that has been built up, especially since the start of the NHS pay campaign.

Phil McEntee told Socialist Organiser: "I think members have clearly shown that they understand that this is a fundamental attack on the union, and that they're prepared to stand up. to Thatcher and Fowler and their agents in local management."

A NUPE member, commenting on the decision to withdraw emergency cover, told us: "Emergency cover had to be withdrawn. It is the only way of getting management to settle this dispute quickly. It's different from withdrawing emergency cover nationally. In this situation local management can act quickly to settle this dispute locally."

Support for this action is vital! Send messages of support and donations to the NUPE branch, c/o London Hospital, Whitechapel, London.