Usdaw safety and recession guide

shopworkers’ union USDAW has sent its 4,600 safety reps a leaflet reminding them of the importance of using their legal functions to defend health and safety standards for the union’s members in the downturn.

The guide, Hard times – protecting health and safety standards in a recession, asks health and safety reps to take five steps to protect members:

• set dates for workplace health and safety inspections for the year ahead;

• tell members who you are and how to contact you;

• keep in contact with other union reps in your workplace/employer/branch;

• take part in the health and safety committee or forum meetings; and

• don’t take no for an answer from the employer.