- Conference
- 2022 Water, Environment & Transport Conference
- Date
- 18 February 2022
- Decision
- Carried
Conference, during the COVID-19 pandemic water industry workers started to hear the terminology that they were key workers.
Conference notes the huge impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, whether on staff working under stressful conditions, people isolated from friends and family by lockdown measures, the physical impact of the virus itself, or the continuing uncertainty due to changing and unreliable government advice and public health policies.
Conference notes that many members working in the water industry have come under intense pressure over the last year to keep the water flowing. During this time workers’ have suffered mental health issues because they have experienced isolation and separation from chosen families and support networks, have experienced burnout as a result of highly pressured workplaces and in some cases have worked additional hours to cover shifts.
Conference recognises that mental health is a workplace issue which must be addressed by trade unions, both in negotiations with employers and by direct support for affected workers.
This conference calls upon the Service Group Executive to:
1)Promote UNISON’s bargaining advice on mental health;
2)Support branches in working with employers to negotiate positive workplace policies addressing and supporting staff mental health;
3)Share examples of best practice and successes in negotiating supportive policies and procedures such as sickness absence policies and policies on reasonable adjustments;
4)Encourage and support members to become health and safety representatives, and promote UNISON’s safety campaigns.