What do we mean by equality?

Harry Albright challenges us to recognise the unique worth of every individual in the workplace

Lee Albright addressing a rally of the strikers. | Photo: Photo courtesy Harry Albright.

In 1976 the general staff at the United Nations office in Geneva went on strike: these were the cleaners, the porters, the cafeteria workers, people who served the executives who worked in the Secretariat and the diplomats when they attended meetings. My father was a very senior member of the UN staff, and yet he chose to lend his support to the strikers. As an economist, he addressed a rally and demonstrated how the strikers were being treated unfairly when it came to salaries and other benefits. It was not the only time he showed concern and consideration for people whose work was essential to the functioning of the building, but who were nevertheless often overlooked by the people they served.

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