After almost 5 months suspension from her job as a British Airways stewardess Gail Sheridan has today been reinstated and cleared of any theft and misconduct charges.
 
Gail had an unblemished record over her 23 year career with BA before being suspended on basic pay pending an investigation into theft and misconduct charges arising from a Lothian and Borders police decision to charge her with theft after removing a number of alcoholic minatures during an 8 hour raid and search of the Sheridan home on the 16th December last year. Gail Sheridan was subsequently charged with theft and perjury on Feb. 19th this year and suspended from her job on Feb. 22nd. The theft charge was dropped when Gail and husband Tommy appeared at Edinburgh high court to be charged with perjury on 27th March.
 
After a detailed and thorough investigation by BA over the last 5 months, with which Gail fully cooperated, the Company have now dismissed all charges against her and fully reinstated her in her senior purser role.
 
Gail Sheridan said today;
 
"I am obviously relieved to be reinstated to the job I have loved for the last 23 years. The relief is however tarnished with anger that I have had to endure the stress and shame of being accused of theft over that period. An accusation which was always malicious but without foundation from the start. Those who initially threw this muck at me should hold their heads in shame.

"I want to thank my family, friends, trade union representative, Tracy Jervis and solicitor, John Paul Mowberry, for being so supportive and helpful during this difficult time. I also want to thank the thousands of ordinary people and trade unionists who have expressed their solidarity with me throughout. Such solidarity has been uplifting and inspiring."
 
Gail attended a disciplinary hearing this morning in a Paisley hotel and was informed of her reinstatement after less than 10 minutes of the meeting starting.
 
Gail is a member of the cabin crew union BASSA which is part of UNITE. 
 

Glasgow Solidarity members have selected their candidate for the Glasgow East by-election on 24 July.  Tricia McLeish, of the party's Shettleston branch, was appointed unopposed with the unianimous support of the Glasgow region of Scotland's largest socialist party.
 
Tricia said:
"I am honoured to be selected as Solidarity's candidate.  Living in the area and working for the council, I see the results of New Labour's failed agenda first hand.  The SNP offer no answers for the people of the East end, just more of the same under a different flag.  The East End will not be saved by shopping centes or by a Donald Trump.  We need real jobs and real futures.
 
"Solidarity are AGAINST the renewal of trident, but FOR spending the billions on houses and pensioners instead.  We stand AGAINST the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and FOR the withdrawal of Brirish and all other foreign troops." 

Tricia McLeish & Tommy Sheridan

Former Labour MP Terry Fields died at his home in Liverpool on Saturday 28th June.  Solidarity wish to express our deepest sympathy to his family and comrades.  Co-Convenor Tommy Sheridan said:

"I am deeply saddened by this news.  Terry was a wonderful man who inspired many to get involved in the fight for a fairer society.  He will be missed by all of us."

The Court of Appeal has issued its judgement on the case of the Belfast airport shop stewards who were sacked in 2002 by airport security firm, ICTS, after they had organised a strike over pay.

The judgement upholds the Fair Employment Tribunal 2007 ruling that ICTS discriminated against the shop stewards on political grounds, sacking them for their trade union and socialist political beliefs. The Court of Appeal judgement reinforces the original decision and means that this case has now set new law which can be used to the benefit of millions of workers throughout Britain.

In the wake of the election of the fascist British National Party's Richard Barnbrook to the London Assembly and of more BNP councillors in other parts of the country, we will show once again that anti-fascists are the majority.

On Saturday 21st June there will be a national demonstration and carnival parade against fascism and racism in London celebrating the diversity of our society and making it clear that racism and fascist organisations like the BNP will not be tolerated. There will be a march and carnival parade, with floats, marching bands, speakers and banners from every organisation opposed the BNP's racist hate.

Join this march and celebration of diversity, let's oppose the fascist BNP.

The Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) Carnival at the end of April showed the mass multicultural audience opposed to racism and fascism and now is the time for the Carnival to hit the streets and for delegations from scores of organisations opposed to the BNP's racist hate to come join in marching in unity against hate and division.

Please come along and bring your friends and family, union banners welcome.

For travel from Glasgow contact Margaret on 07870286632, for further details www.uaf.org.uk