CITY archivist Rita Freedman has been disciplined for alerting councillors to plans to move historical records out of the city centre.

City of York Council has issued her with a written warning for insubordination after she wrote to every member pointing out that discussions were taking place about moving the city archives to the University of York.

UNISON today warned the council that it will treat the warning as victimisation, and is prepared to take legal action.

York convenor Peter Household said: "There is a strong likelihood that we will be seeking a legal remedy if the warning isn't withdrawn."

He said the process would probably be an appeal to a panel of councillors which, if unsuccessful, would be followed by a legal tribunal.

"This warning is unacceptable to UNISON and we consider that Mrs Freedman is being victimised contrary to the Public Interest Disclosure act," said Mr Household.

The act states that anyone making a disclosure in the public's interest has the right to protection from discrimination.

"There is a very strong feeling among union members who are aware of the details that this is absolutely atrocious," he said.

"We feel Mrs Freedman is being victimised for informing councillors who are there to be informed. We feel she was performing her duty."

Under rules covering Best Value studies of council departments, any proposals must involve consultation with interested parties. Mrs Freedman wrote her letter because she feared changes were being discussed without consultation, said Mr Household. She was suspended by the council, but was later reinstated.

Charlie Croft, acting head of the York Leisure Office, which covers the archives, said today: "As far as we are concerned, the disciplinary hearing draws a line under the whole matter and it is now a closed issue."

Meanwhile, users of the city archives have formed a group to protect them. Sarah Costley, of the Friends of York City Archives, said: "We are people who deposit records or use the archives and we want to be represented in any discussions which will affect their future." Mr Croft has always said there are no proposals to move the archives, although it has been revealed that discussions have taken place about their future.

EXCLUSIVE by Adam Nichols Political Reporter