Unions will fight safety cuts

Unions have reaffirmed their commitment to fight cuts in the Health and Safety Executive and attacks on safety laws. Delegates to TUC's Congress last week supported unanimously a motion moved by construction union UCATT critical of the government's decision to lop 35 per cent off HSE's budget by 2015. The annual TUC conference was told longstanding financial pressures mean HSE's enforcement activities have already fallen to an all-time low. The unions are also concerned that dramatic cuts in inspections, which will see many sectors including the notoriously hazardous agriculture and quarrying industries, no longer receiving any unannounced inspections. The decision to axe HSE's telephone Infoline also concerned unions. The TUC's official policy making conference agreed to oppose any 'watering-down of health and safety.' Dennis Doody, a member of UCATT's executive council, told delegates: 'It is a fundamental right to be safe at work. This government is destroying that right. The vast majority of workplace accidents are easily preventable. Government policies will increase accidents.' Doody added: 'Now more than ever the trade union movement needs to defeat these policies. And show how this Tory-led government has blood on its hands. If we don't take action, more and more workers will be killed and maimed at work.' The motion says the TUC must 'continue to be actively involved in campaigning with all affiliates affected by any watering down of health and safety imposed through the government's health and safety reform.' It also calls for the legal groundwork to be done on a legal challenge to 'prevent harm' prior to any damaging policies being implemented.