“Our members need water!”
“UK weather forecast: Temperatures ‘could break UK record’ as pollution alerts issued in London”
Spare a thought for all workers who are currently working outside.
In Barnet Council we have a large workforce who work outside.
Bin workers, Street Cleansing, Parks are but a few of the services provided by Barnet Council to the residents.
We are proud of our members who have had to cope with relentless cuts to the size of the workforce at a time when new housing developments are springing up everywhere.
Our members had a difficult time during the winter weather, but the current heatwave is presenting a serious threat to their health and wellbeing.
This is London.
We all know there are serious air pollution issues in London. The long term exposure to air pollution will undoubtedly have an impact on workers who work outside.
It is therefore a surprise that when Barnet UNISON requested that staff are readily supplied with water and sun block to help prevent heat exhaustion, it was turned down.
This is even more difficult to understand when we are being told temperatures could reach 37C.
Our members are working with less staff but far more work as Barnet continues to grow.
Our own members are equally upset to see an increase in fly tipping and bins uncollected. But they are not the decision makers. They are not the people making cuts to services.
Barnet UNISON is now taking this matter up with our Chief Executive as we fear for the safety of our members.
We will update our members as we have more information.