Defend Risa Tan, suspended Prospect rep

Over the past year, Risa Tan has been fighting to transform their branch and Prospect more widely. In their workplace, they have held mass meetings with hundreds of workers and significantly grown their branch’s membership since their election to the Branch Executive. They have led an unprecedented dispute, winning gains for members on compulsory office attendance. 

On a national level, they have been central to setting up Democratic Prospects, a network of Prospect members which wants Prospect to become a democratic, fighting union - one that supports trans rights, migrants rights and struggles for national self-determination.

On the day that their branch AGM was announced at a members’ meeting and members were invited to submit nominations for the Branch Executive, Risa was notified of an investigation into their conduct and issued with a “precautionary suspension” from office. 

Risa was, at that point, already being investigated for a complaint relating to their distribution of literature at Prospect’s conference.

At this year’s national conference, Risa argued for a more combative approach to employers. They also argued unequivocally in favour of trans rights - in contrast to the NEC’s position. They distributed a paper with a headline “End the Iran War.”

When Risa objected to being told by union officials that they were not allowed to distribute literature, a complaint was made accusing them of being aggressive. Risa gave evidence which, in our view, strongly undermined the allegations.

Not long after this evidence was given, they were notified of a second complaint. Their precautionary suspension was issued on the basis of this complaint. 

The allegations in the second complaint include that Risa is a socialist; that they speak to PCS union; that they expressed a minority view against a pay offer which the BEC supported; and that they are rude in branch discussions. The reason precautionary suspension was deemed necessary in this case has not, in our view, been clearly articulated.

Those who have met Risa or who have seen them speak will know that they are a clear political communicator. Their conduct does not stray beyond earnestly engaging in debate. The power to suspend an elected representative from office should be used sparingly.

Members and reps have a basic right to organise and express their views to each other. Characterising Risa as “rude” and “aggressive” invokes social norms that can operate in gendered, racialised and ableist ways.

Branches and BECs should support Risa. They should send messages to Prospect’s leadership, asking questions and challenging Risa’s suspension. Rank-and-file activists must rally to fight back against this attack and defend their democratic right to organise within the union. An injury to one is an injury to all.