TUC and Islington Council stand together to promote safe return to work

The “Stay Safe at Work – Join a Union” campaign will feature on more than 500 noticeboards across Islington, and in print and online.

More than 6.5 million people in the UK are members of trade unions, and statistically, workplaces with trade unions have fewer cases of work-related illness, injury and fatalities.

Where trade unions are recognised, they have special rights to health and safety representatives, access to information from employers and involvement in risk assessment processes. Where people experience problems at work, trade unions are there to help. For more on unions and safety at work, see www.islington.gov.uk/worksafely

Cllr Asima Shaikh, Islington Council’s executive member for inclusive economy and jobs, said: “Our top priority is keeping people safe and supported during this pandemic.

“All workers have a right to be safe at work – wherever they work and whatever they do, and as more people return to work from lockdown, this is more important than ever.

“We encourage all our residents to join a trade union and we’re very pleased to become the first council to be working jointly with the TUC to promote a safe return to work.”

TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Re-opening the economy must go hand-in-hand with keeping people safe at work.

"It is great that Islington Council is working with unions to ensure that workers in the borough are protected.

"This is in everyone's interest. One employer playing fast and loose with the rules puts the whole community at risk of a second spike in infections.

"Unionised workplaces are safer workplaces. I urge people to get together with  their workmates and join a union."