TRADE unions representing more than 120,000 Scottish workers have issued a joint call to the First Minister on “inconsistencies” between regions that they claim are putting lives at risk.
Unite, GMB and Unison say differences in approach between council areas pose a direct threat to the safety of workers.
They have accused council body Cosla of a “lack of urgency” over the availability of personal protective equipment for care workers, social distancing for waste and home care teams and tests for those in frontline positions, despite ongoing talks. They have also called for “greater clarity” about who meets the definition of a key worker and a “one-nation policy” on bin collections.
The unions said: “Local government workers, and those in the third and private sectors, delivering services must be protected in terms of their health both physical and mental. This is not being done anywhere near effectively enough.
“We are on the brink of the peak of the pandemic and still there exist major concerns over social distancing, personal protective equipment, the definition of who is a key worker and the availability of testing for those workers in local authorities and those providing services on behalf of them, particularly in the home care sector. The trade unions appreciate that this is an unprecedented time but the flimsy and inconsistent guidance that is currently being issued by local authorities is putting lives at risk. We need a national response and this must come from the First Minister’s lead to ensure that the advice is clear, consistent and comprehensive.”
Cosla president Alison Evison said: “Cosla is working with the Scottish Government to ensure the appropriate national guidance is in place to support local service delivery. We have pressed for further guidance on social distancing for workers and expect this, as well as guidance on PPE, to be issued imminently by Scottish Government.
“Our workforce across our communities is doing an amazing job and we will do everything we can to protect, support and safeguard these vital workers.”
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