Workers should be able to work without fear of violence

All public facing workers should be able to work without fear of violence, says the STUC. It agreed overwhelmingly to campaign for the Workers (Aggravated Offences) (Scotland) Bill to give greater legal protection to all front line workers.

“UNISON Scotland welcomed Bill when it was proposed by Hugh Henry MSP”, said UNISON’s Barbara Fulton.

UNISON has been highlighting violence against public sector workers since 2002, when we carried out a survey and in 2003 published a Trauma Report which indicated a high level of violence, with some horrific cases of assault, both physical and sexual, particularly against NHS workers.

“Since then we have been campaigning, against at times considerable opposition, for legislation outlawing attacks on public sector workers”, said Barbara.

“Our campaign was instrumental in bringing about the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2006, which for the first time specifically protected the “Blue Light” services and all those working or assisting workers in hospital Accident and Emergency Units.

“In 2007 the legislation was amended to include some additional NHS staff but UNISON continues to push for a much wider group of workers to be covered by the Act.”

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