Concerns over Quaker labour practices
'Many workers have said they’re not confident Quakers know what’s happening.'
A Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) staff member has written to the Friend highlighting ‘a communication gap between Quakers and the people they employ’.
In the letter, published in this week’s issue (page 6), Ellis Brooks, the union officer with Unite (the union at Quakers in Britain), refers to the ideal that Quaker discernment values all voices equally, but asks ‘Does that include the voice of workers at Britain Yearly Meeting and the Quiet Company?’
Stressing that he is writing in a personal capacity, the peace education network coordinator at Quaker Peace & Social Witness says he was moved to write because of ‘immediate concerns for workers’.
‘We’ve lost many colleagues to redundancies, squeezing the work, and BYM is pressing ahead with restructures… Areas of work are being deleted and jobs are at risk.’
While the letter praises aspects of Quaker discernment and decision-making, it also says that structures can be ‘opaque’ and when workers raise concerns with management, it often ‘meets with inertia or defensiveness’. He adds that ‘many workers have said they’re not confident Quakers know what’s happening – that key work on peace, criminal justice and sanctuary is being dropped. That’s alarming for staff who care deeply about their work, and for the union which wants to protect jobs’. He also describes ‘hurt and bewildered staff’.
Caroline Nursey, clerk of BYM trustees, said: ‘Yearly Meeting entrusts Trustees with responsibility for employment matters and for the finances of BYM, and Central Committee with discerning QPSW’s work within the priorities developed by trustees with MfS. In worship, serving Friends have been led to discern what BYM is called to now, and how to be faithful stewards of BYM’s finances after the pandemic. A good relationship with the Unite union is important. Our Employment Committee and the recording clerk have welcomed regular contact with the union. We understand that change is hard for staff and hold them in the light.’
The Friend is requesting permission to access QPSW Central Committee’s minutes.
Comments
We understand that change is hard for staff and hold them in the light.
That strikes me as a bit patronising! and defensive. The staff and the union are not the only ones concerned about QPSW programmes of work being dropped!
By doreen.osborne@outlook.com on 20th May 2021 - 15:59
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