Unite safety reps from Tullis Russell to receive the STUC Safety
Award
18 April 2011
WHEN: 2.30pm, Tuesday, 19 April 2011
WHERE: STUC Conference, Ayr Racecourse, 2 -6 Whitletts Road, Ayr,
Scotland KA8 0JE
Unite safety reps from Glenrothes based paper makers Tullis
Russell, will tomorrow (Tuesday, 19 April) receive the STUC Safety
Award at STUC congress in Ayr.
The eight safety reps at Tullis Russell (TR) were nominated for
the award because of the hard work and commitment they have shown
over the past year. They have collectively negotiated a joint
strategy and approach to health, safety and environmental issues at
their workplace, based on the principles that trade union
involvement is crucial to effective health and safety management.
One of the agreed objectives within TR is to strive to set new
higher standard and not just settle for the minimum set by law.
The reps have maintained an independence from management in
their approach and their actions have attracted many new members in
the last six months. All along it has been made clear that the
safety reps’ role is to check that the employer carries out their
responsibilities and not do the job for the employer.
Debbie Hutchings, Unite regional official, said: “The STUC award
is recognition that safety reps have a major role. We have seen
that where safety reps are involved in an organisation’s safety
management, this benefits all. Unite has thousands of safety reps
who work tirelessly to improve awareness and standards of health
and safety across the country in every sector.
“Acknowledgements have been made that both management and unions
can contribute to risk management and prevention. We have been
given assurances that this partnership approach for health and
safety has the full backing of the TR board of directors and its
health and safety department.
“The government’s cuts to the Health and Safety Executive over
the next few years will cause untold problems for reps on the
frontline. We hope these awards will encourage reps to strive for
better conditions and involvement in the future.”
ENDS
For further information contact Debbie Hutchings on 07958 515326
or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite press office on 020 7420 8914 or
07980 224761.
