We have reported in previous postings on the case of the PCS HP North West Branch Secretary, John Pearson. In May 2013, the employer, HP supplied PCS with the statutorily specified details of proposals to sack 584 workers on 31 July. When John circulated those details to branch members, he was suspended and later dismissed on a charge of breaching company confidentiality.

The PCS HP Group Secretary, Alan Brown wrote to HP on 7 June 2013 condemning John’s suspension as an attack on the union and demanding his reinstatement.

However, a few months later, whilst mass sackings were still taking place, a work to rule was ongoing and John’s branch was conducting a consultative ballot on escalation of action, Alan wrote to John informing him that the union was no longer taking action to seek a remedy for him and that not only would John be unable to continue to…