Letter: Truth-tellers at work

Sir: Your piece on whistleblowers ("Sick to death of morals", 9 June) left out the largest single group of them - lay trade union officials based in workplaces and dependent on employers for their wages.

In the 1980s safeguards against harassment and victimisation were swept away, both by legislation reducing people's rights at work and the encouragement of an intimidatory workplace climate. As a result, we have a generation of managers who believe that they must be obeyed at all times, insisting that individuals opposing them are un-cooperative, neurotic or subversive. Sadly, as your article points out, the rest of the workplace often joins in the bullying. This is particularly bitter for union officials, since workmates are quite capable of seeking their help one minute and abusing them the next.

Provisions against harassment and unfair dismissal on grounds of race or gender should be extended to cover those who legitimately express their opposition to aspects of their working lives.

JOSIE EDWARDS

London N10