- Conference
- 2022 Virtual Higher Education Conference
- Date
- 13 October 2021
- Decision
- Carried
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that, tragically, as at September 2021 almost 160,000 people across the UK have died in circumstances involving Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic. Statistics also show that low paid, black and disabled workers have been at particular risk and that this is heavily influenced by ingrained institutional prejudices across the entire UK economy.
Most distressingly, as the UK has experienced several waves of infections, the measures that have been proven to work for controlling the virus have often been applied inconsistently or less than effectively by many employers. Often conflicting and confusing legislation and guidance from the different UK governments has further complicated this and led to uneven levels of compliance with both legislation and locally determined measures for controlling the virus. Trade unions have had to repeatedly force both government and individual employers to take action every time cases spike. We will need to be ready again in the face of possible new variants of the virus or in case the immunity provided by vaccination starts to wane.
We know what works to control the virus at work – reducing contacts, maintaining distance, good ventilation with as much fresh air as possible, as well as clear rules mandating face coverings indoors. Despite the end of many specific legal restrictions across the UK, Higher Education Institutions (like all employers) have continuing responsibilities to manage and control the risks from coronavirus, as they do with all other hazards. The principles of risk assessment, applying the most effective control measures of eliminating or substituting the hazard first, must be properly applied to the risks presented by the virus in the Higher Education sector.
The vital role union safety representatives play in reducing the risks to workers has never been more apparent, or more in need. A general study conducted by the TUC in 2016 demonstrated that union safety representatives reduce injuries, encourage the reporting of accidents and near misses and reduce the overall levels of ill-health in the workplace. These are all vital in controlling the risks from coronavirus. More broadly unions have also helped to reduce the spread of coronavirus where they are established by campaigning and often striking for better sick pay provision, which in turn reduces the need for workers to attend work while unwell.
All of the above makes it absolutely vital that the lessons of the pandemic until this point are not forgotten, and that measures to control the virus continue where necessary.
To support this, conference calls upon the service group executive to:
1)Work with branches to demand all universities consult with the trade unions on both COVID-19 risk assessments as well as the inclusion of it in other risk assessments, making sure they are reviewed, implemented and equality proofed.
2)Support branches in continuing to push for individual risk assessments for those at higher risk from the virus, as well as the continuation of control measures to protect the most vulnerable.
3)Promote UNISON’s National ‘Be on the Safe Side’ campaign, support branches in recruiting more safety representatives, and in ensuring they can get adequate time, facilities and information to properly conduct their role. Remind reps and their branches that safety reps have wide-ranging legal entitlements including to take part in risk assessments, facility time, to carry out inspections and much more.
4)Pressure employer bodies and government for action on the underlying equality issues lying behind the adverse impact of COVID-19 on low paid, black and disabled workers, as well as supporting branches to do the same in respect of individual employers.
5)Work with and support branches in lobbying universities to support members affected by long COVID. Push for sickness absence related to COVID/vaccinations to be disregarded in sickness absence procedures.
6)To support branches in calling for universities to provide paid time off for staff to have their vaccinations in line with the national agreement, as well as other absences related to medical treatment and caring responsibilities.
7)Provide clear advice to branches on the steps they can take if the situation worsens, including how to protect those who refuse to work in conditions that pose a serious and imminent danger to both staff and students. Circulate the nationally agreed health and safety escalation template.
8)Pressure governments to provide the highest possible level of support for universities to assist them in controlling the virus amongst staff, students and visitors, including:
a)Providing funding for Universities to cover the cost of additional measures e.g. CO2 meters, PPE, cleaning supplies;
b)Providing access and support for the latest and most accurate tests for all, particularly when calling on Universities to regularly test their students;
c)Providing targeted information and support for those who may be vaccine hesitant and easy access to covid vaccinations for students and staff on campus;
d)Issuing clearer and non-contradictory guidance to the University sector about the control measures they can implement in consultation with safety representatives based on best practice;
e)Clarify that a requirement to wear face masks in high-risk areas (e.g. crowded spaces and spaces where staff and students are in confined spaces for significant periods of time) is a suitable measure to include in institutional and local risk assessments.
9. Work with other trade unions and the NUS on all of these measures to safeguard both staff and students.