Monday 6 August 2018

Petition supporting Rastafarian bus driver forbidden to wear her colours



From Brent Trade Union Council,
Willesden Trades and Labour Hall,
375 High Road, Willesden,
London NW10 2JR



Marcia, a Metroline driver at the Perivale garage has been told that she is not allowed to wear a head covering in the colours of her Rastafarian belief (red, gold and green). 
We think this is discrimination- in the same way that we would if a Muslim woman driver was told she could not wear a head scarf. 
Marcia feels that for her to practice her religion, she needs to wear her colours-we support her in this choice. 
Multiculturalism is something to be celebrated, not hidden.
Marcia had to face a grievance meeting with the company, which she sadly lost. It is time for drivers who support her to take a stand. 
We call on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to intervene to help Marcia.
Marcia should not be forced to choose between her religious beliefs and her job-that's discrimination. We support her and call for her immediate return to work. 
Marcia Carty needs the full support of all bus workers, trade unionists and progressive people in London and beyond. She is being victimised as a black Rastafarian woman whose only crime is to wear her colours.  She has worn them for years, but now she is being prevented from starting work each day with her colours. 
Download this petition and get it filled in by as many of your friends, union members or not, as possible. This clearly contravenes Unite’s Equalities policy and is possibly illegal.  Unite needs to take firm action here.
The petition text reads:

  • No to discrimination: Defend driver's right to wear her colours
  •  Marcia, a Metroline driver at the Perivale garage has been told that she is not allowed to wear a head covering in the colours of her. Rastafarian belief (red, gold and green). 
  • We think this is discrimination- in the same way that we would if a Muslim woman driver was told she could not wear a head scarf. 
  • Marcia feels that for her to practice her religion, she needs to wear her colours-we support her in this choice. 
  • Multiculturalism is something to be celebrated, not hidden.
  • Marcia had to face a grievance meeting with the company, which she sadly lost. It is time for drivers who support her to take a stand. 
  • We call on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to intervene to help Marcia.
  • Marcia should not be forced to choose between her religious beliefs and her job-that's discrimination. We support her and call for her immediate return to work.

This is the petition CLICK HERE TO SIGN ON-LINE:


7 comments:

Martin Francis said...

Via email from Umm ibby: signed -but object to muslim women being singled out - ripe for ukipers to vilify hijabis. statement would be better being more inclusive - anyone should be allowed to wear what is key to their identity - religious or otherwise.

Unknown said...

She should have the right to wear her colours, it represents her religion, just like Sikhs and Muslims.

Anonymous said...

She should be allowed to wear religious attire as i see many wearing relgious attire, jewellery and dofferent coloured headwear why not the rasta colours im sure tfl let Rastafarians wear colours in their hat's. Stop the hate metroline fix up

Unknown said...

Good, the Rasta community will not help her. When they help her, I will help.

RENC said...

It is time us as black people, the religion in rastafarian is respected like the muslim garments they wear like the burqa and other full clothed wear

RENC said...

Just like muslims are allowed to wear clothing such as burqa and other designed clothing, a rastafarian's religion should also be respected and treated accordingly and not singled out to show empowerment but to show equal rights in all walks of life

Anonymous said...

A precedent has already been set. Metroline needs to adopt the established policies of the government with regard to multi-culturalism and religious freedom!