- Conference
- 2004 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 4 February 2004
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes with concern:
1)the number of our low paid members in front line public service jobs who have their employment terminated on the grounds of incapacity;
2)that conditions affecting those members, such as vibration white finger, cervical spondylitis, carpel tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow are invariably caused by the nature of the job involving heavy lifting and fast-paced repetitive working;
3)that only five out of the 22 recognised illnesses within the umbrella of repetitive strain injuries are classed as industrial illness.
Conference further notes that:
a)many of our low paid members who are employed in jobs such as cleaners, school meals workers, community care assistants and carers are women and predominantly on part-time terms and conditions of employment;
b)such terms and conditions often mean that our members are contracted to minimum or core hours so that any additional hours, however regularly worked, are not considered when calculating sick pay, leave, or pensions;
c)many such members do not earn enough to pay national insurance contributions nor can they afford to join their occupational pension scheme.
Given the above, Conference is outraged that many low paid workers in front line public service jobs that have their employment terminated on the grounds of incapacity are ineligible for an occupational pension and/or state benefits.
Conference agrees that something needs to be done to remedy this situation and calls upon the National Executive Council to launch a campaign, in conjunction with branches and regions, that will address the difficulties these workers face by:
i)lobbying the government to end discrimination in relation to work-related injuries;
ii)enabling branches to negotiate with their employers to provide retraining and redeployment opportunities;
iii)educating members on state benefit entitlement and pension provision;
iv)raising awareness amongst members of health and safety legislation and the importance of risk assessments;
v)pursuing changes to the law to reduce the bureaucracy faced by members when making claims against their employer for industrial injuries.