Call for resignation of Amnesty International UK’s director, Kate Allen

Unite members at Amnesty International UK (AIUK) have called today (28th October 2012) for the resignation of the director, Kate Allen, as the organisation is engulfed in a crisis that could see up to 40 job losses.  Staff - members of Unite, the union, are calling for Kate Allen to step down, as her leadership ‘lacks transparency, accountability and long term vision’. Members fear for the future of the human rights organisation – the second largest section in the world with 250,000 supporters. AIUK employs about 200 staff.

Unite members want Kate Allen to take responsibility for a catalogue of poor strategic and financial decisions, which have led to 70 ‘at risk of redundancy’ notices being issued last Wednesday (24 October). Unite members at AIUK have already taken two days of strike action in protest at a lack of meaningful consultation with the union. (Staff at Amnesty International’s headquarters, the International Secretariat, are involved in a separate dispute with their own management).

Total cuts of £2.5 million are being implemented at AIUK, despite the UK section's steady annual growth of 2% and assurances the organisation is not in financial crisis. These swingeing financial cuts are due to the speed at which senior management intends to increase contributions to Amnesty’s international headquarters – the International Secretariat - and despite staff agreeing to a pay freeze. At the International Secretariat redundancies are also imminent, so AIUK staff will be made redundant to pay for redundancies there.

Unite national officer for the not for profit sector, Sally Kosky said: “Staff are concerned that Kate Allen’s proposed cuts will seriously damage the UK section's ability to operate effectively and to provide strong campaigning and fundraising support for the global movement in the longer term.

“Our members have lost confidence in Kate Allen’s ability to guarantee a viable future for AIUK and its human rights work, and are calling on her to resign immediately.

“They fear there will be a direct negative impact on human rights’ defenders around the world. Amnesty members and groups have echoed these concerns and many are demanding adequate consultation with them and Unite on the future of the organisation.

"Any economist would react with dismay at the management’s decision to cut staff at Amnesty International’s UK section.”