Closing Session Slides - The UK National Work

23/12/2013
November 2013 Stress
Network Annual Conference
Closing Summary
[Nil] carborundum illegitimi –
grinding the ******** down
The Conservative Party mantra and this Government’s denigration of the workforce on the
basis of destroying the mechanisms of state in the interest of Neo-liberal policies and the
great God of Business . . . .
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This time last year, our focus was
on Hard Times, Great Expectations
and Victorian Values
We posed several key questions:•
•
•
•
•
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Why do we have Health & Safety laws?
Has Health & Safety regulation worked?
Is everything in the workplace now O.K.?
Is Health & Safety Regulation a ‘burden on business’?
What is the Coalition Government policy on health and safety protection?
What are the consequences?
We looked at how the Government was reshaping the world of work
So what has changed since then?
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Adjusted to align with 1974 definitions
1974
2011/12
Fatal injuries to employees
651
113
Rate of fatal injuries per 100,000
2.9
0.5
Reported non-fatal injuries
336,701
77,195
Deaths from pneumoconiosis
453
134
Deaths from asbestosis
25
169
Deaths from mesothelioma
243
2,347
Rate of self-reported work-related
illness 1990-2012
1990
2011/12
Rate of musculoskeletal disorders per
100,000
2,750
1,500
Rate of stress and related conditions
per 100,000
820
1,520
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We learned that despite a period of
almost 40 years of Health & Safety,
some things have improved – others
have not!
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DEREGULATE, DEREGULATE,
DEREGULATE is the new
mantra of Business Daleks
October saw a further attack by primed business
leaders on regulation – clearly part of this
Government’s ideological drive towards freeing
up businesses and employers to run rough-shod
over the workforce.
Is this a return to Victorian Mill Owner values?
We heard that Health & Safety was an unnecessary
burden on business and that EU driven red tape was
getting in the way of development and economic
recovery
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And the world
recession lead by
avarice . . . . .
Who’s to Blame?
Who’s not carrying the can?
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23/12/2013
Look away now, if you are of a
nervous disposition
The gang of 2010 - this motley crew – determined to break down the
fabric of the working population of this great nation.
Not a jot of a care for trades unions, the workers or their families
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Directors’ Duties,
Corporate Killing – so
where does the
responsibility lie?
Destroying the benefits systems.
Svitzer Marine fined £1.7m over Flying Phantom tug deaths
in the River Clyde killing three crew members
Wrecking the lives of those with disabilities
Stephen Humphreys, 33, Eric Blackley, 57, and Robert Cameron, 65, died when the
Flying Phantom capsized in thick fog opposite Clydebank College in West
Dunbartonshire on 19 December 2007.
Abusing the contracts awarded to provide what should
be a public service
Tug owner Svitzer Marine Ltd pleaded guilty to health and safety failures.
It admitted failing to put in place a safe operating procedure after a previous
grounding in December 2000.
It is extremely worrying that almost six years on from the tragic deaths
of three men in the course of their employment there has been no fatal
accident inquiry held into those deaths, and no imprisonments . . . ”
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Andrew HendersonThompsons Solicitors
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23/12/2013
Hypocrisy Rules
Grangemouth
Refinery – Union
‘leverage’ tactics
to be probed in
disputes enquiry
Government fails to
acknowledge that
underhand behaviours
by conglomerates need
to be investigated,
whereas . . . . . . . . .
One rule for the
Bosses, another for
the workers – are we
back to the days of
Tolpuddle?
Where’s the Justice for blacklisted
workers prevented from working for
exercising their TU rights?
What? NO Enquiry?
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What can we/you do now?
• Work in your branches, your regions and through your TU
Conferences and in your workplaces, to secure proper recognition
of the issues surrounding stress.
• Ensure that Risk Assessments are carried out and Managers are
trained and effective in Taking their responsibilities for workers
properly. Engage with members for their views.
• Use elections to secure the right results to put things back on an
even keel.
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23/12/2013
In concluding the weekend, I
want to say . . . . .
UK Hazards Campaigns
Support Hazards Campaigns and ‘LIKE’ the
We Love Red Tape Facebook page
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• Thanks to all our speakers and our workshop leaders
• Thanks to Hillscourt Conference Centre Staff also to NASUWT for
the use of their premises
• Many thanks to our excellent Conference Secretary and
Treasurer – Les has done a fantastic job once more, and despite
trying to retire, we haven’t let him go yet!
• Thanks to my colleagues on the Steering Group for their hard
work and support
• Thanks to all the Unions and Branches who have supported us in
the years and especially with our newly launched booklet
• Thanks to all of you the delegates – without you, it would have
been a very quiet and lonely weekend here
• It’s been a busy time and this is the best ever attendance that we
have made in any of our annual conferences
• Travel safely, keep up the good work and we hope to see you
again next year!
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November 2013 Annual Stress
Network Conference
Closing Summary
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