Barnet Council agree extreme weather measures with Barnet UNISON

14th July 2022 admin Austerity, Climate Change, Health and Safety, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

Barnet UNISON is pleased to announce that Barnet Council have positively responded to the potential serious risks to the health of their manual workforce who work outdoors.

The Met Office has announced an extreme heat weather warning which could see temperatures reaching 40C. Whilst other mitigation measures are in place for the workforce such as early starts; access to water; these extreme temperatures warranted an urgent review with the employer.

Barnet UNISON began a dialogue this Wednesday with Street Scene operational management and senior officers at Barnet Council in order to look at what other measures could be put in place e.g. such as stopping all but emergency work from a specified time in the day with no reduction to pay.

Today it has been confirmed that all work will stop before 12 noon on both days with no loss in pay.

Background:

Amber warning of extreme heat

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/warnings/weather

Starts: 00:00 BST on Sun 17 JulyEnds: 23:59 BST on Tue 19 July

A hot spell is likely to develop from Sunday, likely peaking early next week, leading to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure.

– Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life. Government advice is that 999 services should be used in emergencies only; seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice

– Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required

– Significantly more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers leading to increased risk of water safety incidents

– Delays on roads and road closures are possible, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with potential for significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays