back back to Letters previous previous story  |  next story next

Employment rights for church organists: a welcome breakthrough

From Mr Alan B. Green
Sir, — I was delighted to read that the way is open for organists to receive full employment rights (News, 22 February).

I know something of the trauma of being sacked after 17 years as a church director of music, playing the organ, training a choir, overseeing the rebuilding of the church organ, encouraging younger people, attending endless meetings, and then being told by the rector that I was no longer needed. I was given no reasons for my dismissal, which came out of the blue. I was devastated.

For complex legal reasons, an employment tribunal found that I was self-employed, and an employment appeal tribunal upheld the decision. If the tribunal had found me to be employed, the consequences for the rector and PCC would have been different.

My thanks go to Robert Leach and Barry Williams, who have worked tirelessly on behalf of fellow organists. Surely it is time for many of the clegy to realise that discrimination and bullying are not compatible with their calling. I look forward to the time when all church workers are treated equally without the need for legal recourse.

For the present, I, like so many musicians, have not felt able to accept another appointment in the Church. All trust has gone.
ALAN B. GREEN
6 The Chase, Ashtead
Surry KT21 2JN



back back to Letters up back to top previous previous story  |  next story next


© Church Times 2006 - All rights reserved

Website by Baigent