Scottish Construction Safety Campaign
The English and Scottish Construction Safety
Campaign (CSC) is a campaign started by a group of individuals,
who may or may not be members of a trade union, some of
whom are left of the political mainstream. The CSC were
united by a common anger with (what they perceived as) the
slow pace of other mainstream safety campaigns run by the
trade unions. Their campaign focuses on issues such as fighting
for changes in the law regarding manslaughter (in Scotland
this would be culpable homicide), and the introduction of
safer working practices in the construction industry. The
STUC states that they concur with the CSC's main aims but
are not affiliated. The STUC however, disagrees with one
key issue with the CSC. The CSC refuse to consider partnership
agreements between trade unions and employers, something
the STUC is constantly striving to achieve. Their main aims
are (according to Tony O' Brien, Secretary, CSC):
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To prevent workplace deaths and disease
by ensuring laws are enacted that will allow directors
of companies to serve a term in prison when it is proved
that their disregard for workers' health and safety
was the main cause of death.
-
After winning the fight to get a ban
of asbestos imports in 1999 they now want all asbestos
to be removed from properties. Thereby preventing further
asbestos related deaths in the future. They also want
greater enforcing of asbestos laws and that these laws
must apply to all properties both domestic and non-domestic.
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Due to the lack of workplace trade union
organisation especially in the construction industry
CSC want the right to have trade union roving safety
reps. They want these reps to have rights to enter employers'
premises and inspect and issue improvement notices and
be able to call on the HSE if and when employers refuse
to co-operate with the reps.
Their activities include protesting and lobbying
outside coroners, magistrates and crown courts over the
deaths of construction workers. Giving support to relatives
of those killed. And generally getting the demands of their
campaign publicised.
They have a national committee and hold an
AGM each year. They formed the above policies in 1998 and
claim to have been successful in getting most national trades
unions to adopt them. They are involved and support the
activities of the Hazards campaign. For support they ask
for affiliation from union branches, donations and involvement
in the activities of the campaign (see their campaign leaflet).
Contacts list
Lisa Manus: l.manus@unison.co.uk
Dave Watson : d.watson@unison.co.uk
@ The P&I Team, UNISON Scotland 14 West Campbell St, Glasgow
G2 6RX Tel 0845 355 0845 Fax 0141 221 8953
February 2004
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