The following has been supplied by the TUC:
The expert who carried a government commissioned review of workplace safety regulation has raised concerns about his report being 'misused' for political purposes. Professor Ragnar Löfstedt told a forum in London on 17 January he was not in favour of 'radical' reform, contradicting David Cameron's attack earlier this month on the 'monster' of health and safety. The prime minister referenced Löfstedt's 2011 report, as he blamed the 'albatross' of health and safety legislation for holding back British businesses. But the professor, speaking at the Westminster Legal Policy Forum, insisted he had never called for significant changes to legal policy. At the 17 January meeting, Löfstedt was asked by Mike Clancy, deputy general secretary of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors' and specialists' union, whether he had concerns about the government's treatment of his review. The professor replied: 'I am concerned about it. I am concerned my review could be misused.' The first health and safety regulations lined up for the chop were made public this week, with seven largely archaic and redundant laws covering topics from anthrax to pottery metrication identified. However, the government is proposing to go way beyond Professor Löfstedt's recommendation to consolidate rather than remove regulation. Employment minister Chris Grayling told the House of Commons on 23 January: 'The Löfstedt report, which we published in November, recommends significant changes to our regulatory regime. We accepted the recommendations and, with other planned changes, we aim to reduce the total number of health and safety regulations by 50 per cent by 2014.' He said while Britain has the 'best safety record in Europe' it also 'has the worst record for unnecessary red tape.' Addressing the minister, Labour MP Kate Clark, a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Health and Safety Group, said: 'Given that the Löfstedt report does not say that our health and safety legislation is either excessive or wrong, will the Minister also say that and stop peddling the myths on health and safety legislation - the Löfstedt report says that they are myths - that some of his colleagues keep peddling?' The minister responded: 'The hon. Lady misunderstands the challenge we face.'
24.1.12
TUC says stand up for safety
The TUC is gearing up for the biggest ever national workplace health and safety event on 28 April. It has designated Workers' Memorial Day 2012 a 'Day of activity to defend health and safety', which is facing an unprecedented attack. According to the national union body: 'The actions of the government are putting the safety and health of Britain's workers under threat, by trying to slash the laws that protect you, cut enforcement and inspection and make it harder to win compensation for injuries. Don't let this happen. Take part in the TUC Day of Action on health and safety on 28 April 2012, Workers' Memorial Day.' The TUC adds: 'These proposed cuts are not inevitable. Trade unions, safety campaigners and the TUC want proper legal protection for all those in work, a strong Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and a right to seek justice if things go wrong.' TUC is going to promote activities nationwide. 'Join any events in your area on 28 April 2012. This is International Workers Memorial Day when we traditionally remember the dead and fight for the living,' a new 28 April guide urges. 'Never has that message been more important than now. Let's ensure that we make it clear that we want clear commitments and action from those who should be protecting us.' Posters and a leaflet are already available online, and more resources, including a lobbying guide, will be made available as the day draws closer.
Unite criticises Tory 'smokescreen' on unions at work
The following has been supplied by the TUC:
The Conservative Party should turn its attention to the challenges facing the economy instead of 'peddling distortion' about the union role, the union Unite has said. The union was commenting after last week's failed attempt by Tory MP and former Barclays investment banker Jesse Norman to introduce legislation to reduce facilities and time provided by public sector employers for trade union work. Unite, however, points to 'findings from business itself which show that the work of union representatives actually saves employers around £1.1 billion annually by helping to resolve disputes and preventing illness and injury at work - ten times more than the £113 million that Norman claims union representatives cost the taxpayer.' The union accused the Conservatives of 'peddling myths about trade unions in the public sector to divert from the poor economic performance and a deeper desire to block public sector workers' access to justice in the workplace.' Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: 'This Tory MP and former Barclays investment banker has his priorities all wrong.' He added: 'There is no rational reason to target dedicated men and women who spend their days preventing accidents, avoiding tribunals and supporting their colleagues.'
The Conservative Party should turn its attention to the challenges facing the economy instead of 'peddling distortion' about the union role, the union Unite has said. The union was commenting after last week's failed attempt by Tory MP and former Barclays investment banker Jesse Norman to introduce legislation to reduce facilities and time provided by public sector employers for trade union work. Unite, however, points to 'findings from business itself which show that the work of union representatives actually saves employers around £1.1 billion annually by helping to resolve disputes and preventing illness and injury at work - ten times more than the £113 million that Norman claims union representatives cost the taxpayer.' The union accused the Conservatives of 'peddling myths about trade unions in the public sector to divert from the poor economic performance and a deeper desire to block public sector workers' access to justice in the workplace.' Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: 'This Tory MP and former Barclays investment banker has his priorities all wrong.' He added: 'There is no rational reason to target dedicated men and women who spend their days preventing accidents, avoiding tribunals and supporting their colleagues.'
17.1.12
Health and safety culture? I wish...
David Cameron's resolution last week 'to kill off the health and safety culture for good') has drawn fresh criticism from unions, safety bodies and corporate killing campaigners. TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson said the prime minister's comments 'represent probably the biggest verbal assault on health and safety by a senior politician for many years, which is saying something, given that only last summer the PM was blaming the English riots on our health and safety culture.' He added: 'I wish we had a health and safety culture in the UK... Instead of headline-grabbing claims, what we need is a commitment to protect workers with proper enforcement and penalties against those employers that flout the law and put lives at risk.' Families Against Corporate Killers (FACK), said the prime minister's speech was 'completely fact-free' and 'based in fantasy'. FACK spokesperson Louise Taggart said: 'Whereas Cameron believes he is signalling the end of alleged 'burdens on business' in fact he has just sounded the death knell for hundreds of workers and members of the public.' Louise, whose brother Michael was electrocuted at work aged 26, added Cameron's casualties would include 'loved ones who, like my brother, will leave the house one day only to return in an undertaker's van.' Richard Jones of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) described the prime minister's comments as 'appalling and unhelpful'. He added: 'The number of work-related fatalities rose recently for the first time in years. Please, prime minister, let's not turn that statistic into a trend for the sake of a few easy headlines.' A Hazards Campaign spokesperson said: 'Rather than facing up to the real problems employers cause in their failure to manage workplace health and safety the Tories choose to look the other way - again, as ever. Cameron's announcements will do nothing, absolutely nothing, to reduce the real burden borne by workers, their families and friends or the state. He's looking the wrong way.'
Cameron is 'irresponsible and dangerous'
The prime minister's 'repeated attacks' on workplace health and safety measures 'are irresponsible and dangerous,' the union representing Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors has warned. Commenting after David Cameron's 5 January resolution to a business audience that his government would 'kill off' health and safety, Prospect said two recent reviews commissioned by the government had concluded the existing system worked. The latest, headed by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt, reported late last year with the professor concluding: 'I have neither seen nor heard any evidence to suggest that there is a case for radically altering or stripping back current health and safety regulation.' Prospect health and safety officer Sarah Page commented: 'Unfortunately, the prime minister seems determined to ignore the findings of his own advisers and play fast and loose with the facts in a way that can only be harmful to the health of millions of British workers.' Unite general secretary Len McCluskey denounced David Cameron's 'callous and out-touch' comments. 'Strong health and safety regulations to protect workers, and the right to hold employers to account should be central to a modern and civilised society,' he added. 'David Cameron and his coalition government are dragging this country backwards. The government should be doing everything possible to protect the health and safety of workers in this country, not undermining it.' Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers' union ASLEF, said: 'It is a sad reflection on our society that the words 'health' and 'safety' can be mocked by our prime minister. These are not dirty words. It is the basic mark of a civilized society that people should be protected from death and injury - and this must apply equally to the work environment as anywhere else.'
9.1.12
BFWTUC Buffet and Social Evening
The following invite has been received from Mick Stott, Deputy Chair, Blackpool Against the Cuts Committee and Membership Secretary, BFWTUC:
Note to all Blackpool Against the Cuts (BAC) supporters, Trades Council Delegates (past and present), and possible future ones.
Note to all Blackpool Against the Cuts (BAC) supporters, Trades Council Delegates (past and present), and possible future ones.On Tuesday 10th January the BFWTUC are holding a Buffet and Social Evening (President’s Night) following the Trades Council’s AGM at 8.30pm.
Both events will be held at the LMS Loco Club, Back Ribble Road, Blackpool, with the AGM starting at 7.30pm prompt.
All BAC supporters are welcome.
As we move into another year of government austerity with cuts to local services and jobs we need, more than ever, to unite in our opposition to these cuts. This is the time for branches who have let their Trades Council affiliation lapse to come back into the fold. It is also the time for all our current delegates to come and get involved again.
In solidarity - We will not be defeated.
Note: The next BAC supporters meetings will be on 24th and 31st January – please put these dates in your diaries too.
Happy New year to all supporters,
Workplace reps save lives and money
The following has been supplied by the TUC:
The prime minister's threat to remove funding for the time public sector union reps take to do their union work ignores the life- and cash-saving role these reps play, the TUC has said. David Cameron told the Commons last week: 'I do not think full-time trade unionists working in the public sector on trades union business, rather than serving the public, is right, and we will put that to an end.' Safety Practitioner, the magazine of safety professionals' organisation IOSH, reported: 'The prime minister's remarks came a week after he wrote a letter of support to Aidan Burley MP, who is spearheading the Trade Union Reform Campaign (TURC) in a bid to cut the facilities time funding. The prime minster wrote: 'Few would take issue with the unions working on behalf of their members in government departments and other public bodies in their own time, or with union funding.' TURC co-founder Mr Burley was asked in the Commons whether he had considered the benefit union reps provide in identifying and preventing health and safety problems in the workplace. He replied: 'My direct answer to the honourable gentleman is to ask what he thinks the human resources department, or the Health and Safety Executive are for. Public sector organisations have those people, so there is total duplication.' TUC national organiser Carl Roper commented: 'Those who highlight only the cost of facility time are telling half the story just to accommodate their ideologically motivated deep antipathy toward unions. The cost of facility time is more than justified by the benefits and savings that union reps, and health and safety reps in particular, bring to workplaces and society in general.' He added: 'Research by BERR (now BIS) in 2007 found that the work of union reps resulted in benefits to society of at least £136m as a result of reducing working days lost due to workplace injury and at least £45m as a result of reducing work related illness. This why the CBI and the HR professionals regard unions and their workplace reps as an essential resource and part of the modern workplace.'
The prime minister's threat to remove funding for the time public sector union reps take to do their union work ignores the life- and cash-saving role these reps play, the TUC has said. David Cameron told the Commons last week: 'I do not think full-time trade unionists working in the public sector on trades union business, rather than serving the public, is right, and we will put that to an end.' Safety Practitioner, the magazine of safety professionals' organisation IOSH, reported: 'The prime minister's remarks came a week after he wrote a letter of support to Aidan Burley MP, who is spearheading the Trade Union Reform Campaign (TURC) in a bid to cut the facilities time funding. The prime minster wrote: 'Few would take issue with the unions working on behalf of their members in government departments and other public bodies in their own time, or with union funding.' TURC co-founder Mr Burley was asked in the Commons whether he had considered the benefit union reps provide in identifying and preventing health and safety problems in the workplace. He replied: 'My direct answer to the honourable gentleman is to ask what he thinks the human resources department, or the Health and Safety Executive are for. Public sector organisations have those people, so there is total duplication.' TUC national organiser Carl Roper commented: 'Those who highlight only the cost of facility time are telling half the story just to accommodate their ideologically motivated deep antipathy toward unions. The cost of facility time is more than justified by the benefits and savings that union reps, and health and safety reps in particular, bring to workplaces and society in general.' He added: 'Research by BERR (now BIS) in 2007 found that the work of union reps resulted in benefits to society of at least £136m as a result of reducing working days lost due to workplace injury and at least £45m as a result of reducing work related illness. This why the CBI and the HR professionals regard unions and their workplace reps as an essential resource and part of the modern workplace.'
You want the truth, prime minister?
The following has been supplied by the TUC:
The TUC has said the prime minister's resolution 'to kill of the health and safety culture for good' exposes how he is more interested in listening to unfounded business grumbles than evidence that millions are hurting and tens of thousands die each year because their workplaces were not safe enough. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said David Cameron's 5 January speech to a business audience 'shows just how out of touch with the reality of working life Number 10 is.' He added: 'Every government report on the UK's supposed compensation culture has shown it to be a myth, and in fact claims have been declining over the past decade. Despite this the government seems hell-bent on trying to stop workers injured by their employers' negligence being able to claim compensation.' He said workers will be 'astonished' at the prime minister's claim there is an 'excessive health and safety culture that has become an albatross around the neck of British businesses'. Firmly rebutting the prime minister's argument, he said: 'The truth is that there are two million people in the UK who have an illness or injury caused by their work - the vast majority of which could have been prevented had their employer had taken the correct safety precautions. Nor do businesses 'battle against a tide of risk assessment forms every year'. The vast majority of employers never carry out any kind of written risk assessments, and for those that do, there is easy-to-understand advice available on how to do them from the Health and Safety Executive.' Mr Barber concluded: 'It is clear that Downing Street does not have a clue about what life is like for the millions of ordinary people who work in shops, offices, schools, factories, call centres and other workplaces across the UK. Instead it is making policy in response to grumbles from elements of the small business lobby and the risible rantings of right-wing commentators.'
The TUC has said the prime minister's resolution 'to kill of the health and safety culture for good' exposes how he is more interested in listening to unfounded business grumbles than evidence that millions are hurting and tens of thousands die each year because their workplaces were not safe enough. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said David Cameron's 5 January speech to a business audience 'shows just how out of touch with the reality of working life Number 10 is.' He added: 'Every government report on the UK's supposed compensation culture has shown it to be a myth, and in fact claims have been declining over the past decade. Despite this the government seems hell-bent on trying to stop workers injured by their employers' negligence being able to claim compensation.' He said workers will be 'astonished' at the prime minister's claim there is an 'excessive health and safety culture that has become an albatross around the neck of British businesses'. Firmly rebutting the prime minister's argument, he said: 'The truth is that there are two million people in the UK who have an illness or injury caused by their work - the vast majority of which could have been prevented had their employer had taken the correct safety precautions. Nor do businesses 'battle against a tide of risk assessment forms every year'. The vast majority of employers never carry out any kind of written risk assessments, and for those that do, there is easy-to-understand advice available on how to do them from the Health and Safety Executive.' Mr Barber concluded: 'It is clear that Downing Street does not have a clue about what life is like for the millions of ordinary people who work in shops, offices, schools, factories, call centres and other workplaces across the UK. Instead it is making policy in response to grumbles from elements of the small business lobby and the risible rantings of right-wing commentators.'
TUC slams Cameron move 'to kill off safety'
The following has been supplied by the TUC:
A claim by the prime minister that UK businesses are in a 'stranglehold' of health and safety 'red tape' and compensation claims has been dismissed as 'out of touch' by the TUC. David Cameron, speaking to a business audience on 5 January, said the government was 'waging war against the excessive health and safety culture that has become an albatross around the neck of British businesses.' Referring to measures to help businesses 'cope' with the 'health and safety monster', including cutting regulations, enforcement and exempting the self-employed from safety rules, he added: 'Every day they battle against a tide of risk assessment forms and face the fear of being sued for massive sums. The financial cost of this culture runs into the billions each year. So this coalition has a clear New Year's resolution: to kill off the health and safety culture for good. I want 2012 to go down in history not just as Olympics year or Diamond Jubilee year, but the year we get a lot of this pointless time-wasting out of the British economy and British life once and for all.' The TUC said the comments showed Downing Street was 'out of touch' and 'does not have a clue' about conditions in Britain's workplaces. Research has shown the cost of failing to ensure workplace health and safety standards massively outstrips any compliance costs.
A claim by the prime minister that UK businesses are in a 'stranglehold' of health and safety 'red tape' and compensation claims has been dismissed as 'out of touch' by the TUC. David Cameron, speaking to a business audience on 5 January, said the government was 'waging war against the excessive health and safety culture that has become an albatross around the neck of British businesses.' Referring to measures to help businesses 'cope' with the 'health and safety monster', including cutting regulations, enforcement and exempting the self-employed from safety rules, he added: 'Every day they battle against a tide of risk assessment forms and face the fear of being sued for massive sums. The financial cost of this culture runs into the billions each year. So this coalition has a clear New Year's resolution: to kill off the health and safety culture for good. I want 2012 to go down in history not just as Olympics year or Diamond Jubilee year, but the year we get a lot of this pointless time-wasting out of the British economy and British life once and for all.' The TUC said the comments showed Downing Street was 'out of touch' and 'does not have a clue' about conditions in Britain's workplaces. Research has shown the cost of failing to ensure workplace health and safety standards massively outstrips any compliance costs.
Occupational health is a victim of the NHS cuts
The following has been supplied by the TUC:
The coalition government's pledge to protect the NHS has been questioned after four out of five doctors said they had seen patient care suffer as a result of health service cuts during 2011 - and occupational health is one of the key casualties. The Guardian's poll of GPs and hospital doctors, challenges David Cameron's promise to 'cut the deficit, not the NHS'. As well as cuts to occupational health support, doctors cite hospital bed closures, pressure to give patients cheaper, slower-acting drugs and reductions in community health services as examples of recent cost-cutting measures. Doctors.net.uk, which conducted the survey for the newspaper, asked medics: 'Have cuts to staff and/or services affected patient care in your department, area or surgery during the last 12 months?' Of the 664 doctors who responded, 527 (79 per cent) said yes and 137 (21 per cent) said no. Dr Mark Porter, chair of the British Medical Association's hospital consultants and specialists committee, said the poll findings confirmed that the NHS was now 'retracting' and doing less for patients, contradicting repeated ministerial pledges that frontline NHS services would escape the government's deficit reduction programme. He told the Guardian: 'The reality is that whether you look at it from the point of view of a doctor, another clinician or a patient, there are NHS cuts ongoing and it adds up to a picture where the NHS is now retracting. So it's hard to marry that back to the original statement 'I'll cut the deficit, not the NHS'.'
The coalition government's pledge to protect the NHS has been questioned after four out of five doctors said they had seen patient care suffer as a result of health service cuts during 2011 - and occupational health is one of the key casualties. The Guardian's poll of GPs and hospital doctors, challenges David Cameron's promise to 'cut the deficit, not the NHS'. As well as cuts to occupational health support, doctors cite hospital bed closures, pressure to give patients cheaper, slower-acting drugs and reductions in community health services as examples of recent cost-cutting measures. Doctors.net.uk, which conducted the survey for the newspaper, asked medics: 'Have cuts to staff and/or services affected patient care in your department, area or surgery during the last 12 months?' Of the 664 doctors who responded, 527 (79 per cent) said yes and 137 (21 per cent) said no. Dr Mark Porter, chair of the British Medical Association's hospital consultants and specialists committee, said the poll findings confirmed that the NHS was now 'retracting' and doing less for patients, contradicting repeated ministerial pledges that frontline NHS services would escape the government's deficit reduction programme. He told the Guardian: 'The reality is that whether you look at it from the point of view of a doctor, another clinician or a patient, there are NHS cuts ongoing and it adds up to a picture where the NHS is now retracting. So it's hard to marry that back to the original statement 'I'll cut the deficit, not the NHS'.'
Yes “THE” Aiden Burley MP
The Branch website had the recent article about Right Wing Tory MPs asking loaded questions to the Prime Minister about the cost of facility time. The article started “The prime minister's threat to remove funding for the time public sector union reps take to do their union work ignores the life- and cash-saving role these reps play, the TUC has said. David Cameron told the Commons last week: 'I do not think full-time trade unionists working in the public sector on trades union business, rather than serving the public, is right, and we will put that to an end.' Safety Practitioner, the magazine of safety professionals' organisation IOSH, reported: 'The prime minister's remarks came a week after he wrote a letter of support to Aidan Burley MP, who is spearheading the Trade Union Reform Campaign (TURC) in a bid to cut the facilities time funding. The prime minister wrote: 'Few would take issue with the unions working on behalf of their members in government departments and other public bodies in their own time, or with union funding.' TURC co-founder Mr Burley was asked in the Commons whether he had considered the benefit union reps provide in identifying and preventing health and safety problems in the workplace. He replied: 'My direct answer to the honourable gentleman is to ask what he thinks the human resources department, or the Health and Safety Executive are for. Public sector organisations have those people, so there is total duplication.'
Eagle eyed readers may have noticed that the Spearhead of the Trade Union Reform Campaign has also been in the news recently for some of his other activities:
“French prosecutors are investigating a Nazi-themed stag party attended by the Conservative MP Aidan Burley.”
The MP for Cannock in Staffordshire has previously apologised for the "inappropriate behaviour" of fellow guests at the stag party.
'Wrong decision'
He said he had not been contacted by the French authorities.
It is thought the investigation has been triggered by a complaint to the prosecutor from French anti-racism group SOS Racisme.
In a statement, Mr Burley said: "Being involved in a stag party where an SS uniform was worn was wrong and offensive.
"It was the wrong decision on my part; crass and insensitive.
"I am deeply sorry, and want to take this opportunity to offer the people of Cannock Chase an unreserved, wholehearted and full apology for the terrible offence this incident has undoubtedly caused.
"It has been an unbelievably difficult 10 days for my family and friends, and I feel ashamed that Cannock Chase has been placed in the limelight as a result of my behaviour.
'Foolish' conduct
"My family have been through hell, and I want to thank them in particular for the love, courage and support they have given me."
Ian Austin, shadow work and pensions minister and Labour MP for Dudley North, said: "David Cameron and the Tories tried to brush this under the carpet, but the scandal surrounding Aidan Burley's disgraceful conduct is not going away.
"Surely the prime minister must take the whip off Mr Burley while this investigation is taking place."
Mr Cameron has ordered an inquiry.
A Downing Street spokesman reiterated that Mr Burley's conduct had been "offensive and foolish".
Possible charges under French law that could stem from wearing Nazi uniforms include incitement to racial hatred and being an apologist for Nazi war crimes.
Under French law prosecutors are obliged to follow up complaints that allege criminal wrongdoing. A preliminary investigation is then launched to ascertain whether any crimes have been committed.
A preliminary investigation is not a criminal investigation but if it is decided a crime has been committed a formal judicial investigation will be launched which could include the naming of suspects.
Reports of activities on the “Nazi themed” night out include chanting ‘Hitler, Hitler, Hitler’, toasting the ‘Third Reich’ and taunting a waiter for being French.
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