It just goes on…
I was in town this morning on the way between the doctors and Sainsburys, when I was passed by a council recycling collection lorry. As it passed I was subjected to jeers and abuse from the crew in the cab. This was definitely not good on top of last night's incident. So, I duly reported it using the on-line system the council has for complaints, and this is the complaint I made:
Personal Details
Name Alice Chapman Address 0 Rxxxxxxx Xxxxx Northwich Cheshire CW0 0XX Telephone No 01606 00000 Email alice@xxxxxxxx.xxx.xx Complaint Details
Service = Environmental Operations Nature Of Complaint:- Transphobic abuse from recycling team in vehicle W(?)X04 CWD.
I was in Northwich town centre near the Penny Black Public House, at approximately 11:45 23/Jan, when the vehicle noted above went past me. As it passed the crew on board jeered and hurled transphobic abuse at me.
I am for the record a pre-operative transwoman, and should not have to put up with such behaviour form council employees or subcontractors.
This incident will also be reported to Cheshire Police. What would you like the Council to do to put the matter right?:- I have no doubt that the team concerned will deny the nature of the complaint. So I do not know what can be done. But I do feel that they need to be reminded about the council's equality and diversity policy, and if necessary sent on an appropriate training course. Friday 23 January 2009 13:19:41
Just under an hour after making the complaint I was contacted by someone from the council, and they will be progressing the complaint as they take breaches of their Equality and Diversity Policy seriously. I was also given the DDI number for the Equality and Diversity officer at the council and encouraged to phone her for a chat. So, we'll see what happens IRO the complaint, and I'll make that phone call the week after next as she is on holiday until the end of next week.
I also reported this incident to the police, and someone will be coming to see me tomorrow. I'll report on this in due course.
ETA: looks like the shitstorm is starting. The council's Community Safety Officer has picked up on this and will be handling it himself, as a high priority. As I've met him at a Community Action Meeting I think that I can take this at face value.
Alice.
Personal Details
Name Alice Chapman Address 0 Rxxxxxxx Xxxxx Northwich Cheshire CW0 0XX Telephone No 01606 00000 Email alice@xxxxxxxx.xxx.xx Complaint Details
Service = Environmental Operations Nature Of Complaint:- Transphobic abuse from recycling team in vehicle W(?)X04 CWD.
I was in Northwich town centre near the Penny Black Public House, at approximately 11:45 23/Jan, when the vehicle noted above went past me. As it passed the crew on board jeered and hurled transphobic abuse at me.
I am for the record a pre-operative transwoman, and should not have to put up with such behaviour form council employees or subcontractors.
This incident will also be reported to Cheshire Police. What would you like the Council to do to put the matter right?:- I have no doubt that the team concerned will deny the nature of the complaint. So I do not know what can be done. But I do feel that they need to be reminded about the council's equality and diversity policy, and if necessary sent on an appropriate training course. Friday 23 January 2009 13:19:41
Just under an hour after making the complaint I was contacted by someone from the council, and they will be progressing the complaint as they take breaches of their Equality and Diversity Policy seriously. I was also given the DDI number for the Equality and Diversity officer at the council and encouraged to phone her for a chat. So, we'll see what happens IRO the complaint, and I'll make that phone call the week after next as she is on holiday until the end of next week.
I also reported this incident to the police, and someone will be coming to see me tomorrow. I'll report on this in due course.
ETA: looks like the shitstorm is starting. The council's Community Safety Officer has picked up on this and will be handling it himself, as a high priority. As I've met him at a Community Action Meeting I think that I can take this at face value.
Alice.