Workplace Report September 2004

Health & safety news

You bet your life?

Betting-shop employers should not gamble with their workers' safety, warns new union Community.

Community, formed after the merger of the ISTC and KFAT unions, has asked Ladbrokes for urgent talks to discuss measures that will increase staff safety, following the recent shooting of a betting-shop worker in Coventry.

Luke Chester, Community's local organiser, said: "Members employed by Ladbrokes believe that frequent single-staffing of shops, the longer opening hours and the resulting higher takings have increased the risks to their security and safety."