Latest news for members in Place.
Graeme Smith, vice convener, reports from the Resources and Chief Executive JCC
Members reported that those who are exempt from wearing face covering due to health conditions were being treated unfairly and told they needed to wear them.
We raised this issue with management, who responded that workers should be treated in line with the legisltation.
Continue reading “Face coverings at work—for those exempt”Unite CEC branch started raising concerns over Health & Safety (H&S) communications in Edinburgh schools in late July 2020, prior to the schools’ re-opening. These concerns centred around the operations, composition and communications regarding the schools’ H&S groups. Members’ uncertainties indicated a lack of involvement from all staff groups (both FM and C&F) working in schools.
A survey of Unite members in Edinburgh schools was initiated at the end of October 2020, following persistent inadequacy of response from Communities & Families (whose domain the H&S groups sits in). The resultant report revealed that far too many staff (particularly FM) were unaware of the existence of their school’s H&S group and had had no H&S communications.
The report was shared with senior C&F and FM staff who promised to rectify the situation and make all staff welcome to each school’s H&S group where possible. Our message now to all school workers (FM and C&F) is to inquire from Head Teacher or Business Manager how you can become involved in your school’s Health & Safety group.
The local authority newsletter is focusing on jobs across local authorities to show how valuable our public sector workers are and the hard work they put in under difficult conditions and often low pay.
Today our focus is on Tam (not his real name) who works for a Lanarkshire council as a janitor. Tam works across a number of facilities and earns just £450 per week—around three quarters of the UK’s average wage.
Continue reading “Day in the life of a janitor part 2—local authority newsletter”The local authority newsletter is focusing on jobs across local authorities to show how valuable our public sector workers are and the hard work they put in under difficult conditions and often low pay.
Today we focus on John* who works in the Highlands and Islands region as a warden. John works as a warden and is on a mere £9.50 per hour. This means that John only receives around half of the UK’s average wage (£31,830). He has to work a second job to supplement the poor income he receives from his employer.
Continue reading “Day in the life of a warden—local authority newsletter”