We do not
believe the Government has managed the latest announcements well,
particularly by failing to publish its guidance on specific workplaces
until last night and having been unclear initially about when it hoped
workplaces that had been closed would open from – it has now clarified it
is encouraging re-opening from Wednesday. We are also concerned that there
is no UK-wide approach to social distancing, that the public messaging is
not sufficiently clear and in several areas the proposals we made in
relation to particular types of workplaces have not been included in the
final guidance.
For members who are affected by changes as a result of the
announcements on workplaces this week, it is important to be clear that
employers are under legal obligations to protect workers from risks to
their health and safety, to carry out risk-assessments and to consult union
health and safety representatives. Importantly, employees have individual
rights not to work in a workplace where they reasonably believe it would be
unsafe to do so. The guidance the Government has published sets out more
detailed workplace- specific standards in relation to coronavirus on issues
such as maintaining 2 metre distancing and cleaning surfaces, and where any
employer is re-opening their business or changing working practices in
response to the Government’s announcement, it is important that branches
contact the relevant industrial department for advice.
Similarly, where changes are being made by employers and
there are questions in relation to those in vulnerable groups who have been
told to self-isolate, individuals who have childcare issues or face
difficulties getting to work because of public transport, branches should
contact the relevant industrial department.
Finally, alongside the TUC, the union will be continuing to
push the Government on both immediate steps taken in response to the crisis
– including statutory sick pay, benefits levels, the furlough scheme and
support for parents – and the need to ensure working people do not suffer
as a result of a long-term economic crisis. The NEC will be discussing
these issues later this week and we will be saying more on the union’s
demands and how we will be campaigning on this as part of our ongoing work
on the new deal for workers.
Any queries on the contents of this LTB should be directed
to gsoffice@cwu.org
or the appropriate industrial department.
Yours sincerely,
Dave Ward
General
Secretary
LTB 252/20 – Coronavirus – Government
announcement on easing lockdown measures
Our Plan to Rebuild – Summary of Government
Plan 12 05 20