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November 2013 Stress Network Annual Conference

Closing Summary [Nil] carborundum illegitimi – grinding the ******** down

The Conservative Party mantra and this Government’s denigration of the workforce on the

basis of destroying the mechanisms of state in the interest of Neo-liberal policies and the great God of Business . . . .

Stress Conference Summary Session 2

This time last year, our focus was on Hard Times, Great Expectations

and Victorian Values

We posed several key questions:- • Why do we have Health & Safety laws?

• Has Health & Safety regulation worked?

• Is everything in the workplace now O.K.?

• Is Health & Safety Regulation a ‘burden on business’?

• What is the Coalition Government policy on health and safety protection?

• What are the consequences?

We looked at how the Government was reshaping the world of work

So what has changed since then?

Stress Conference Summary Session 3

We learned that despite a period of almost 40 years of Health & Safety, some things have improved – others have not!

Adjusted to align with 1974 definitions 1974 2011/12

Fatal injuries to employees 651 113

Rate of fatal injuries per 100,000 2.9 0.5

Reported non-fatal injuries 336,701 77,195

Deaths from pneumoconiosis 453 134

Deaths from asbestosis 25 169

Deaths from mesothelioma 243 2,347

Rate of self-reported work-related illness 1990-2012

1990 2011/12

Rate of musculoskeletal disorders per 100,000

2,750 1,500

Rate of stress and related conditions per 100,000

820 1,520

Stress Conference Summary Session 4

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We heard that Health & Safety was an unnecessary burden on business and that EU driven red tape was getting in the way of development and economic recovery

Stress Conference Summary Session 5

DEREGULATE, DEREGULATE, DEREGULATE is the new mantra of Business Daleks

October saw a further attack by primed business leaders on regulation – clearly part of this Government’s ideological drive towards freeing up businesses and employers to run rough-shod over the workforce.

Is this a return to Victorian Mill Owner values?

Stress Conference Summary Session 6

Stress Conference Summary Session 7

Who’s not carrying the can?

And the world recession lead by avarice . . . . .

Who’s to Blame?

Stress Conference Summary Session 8

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Look away now, if you are of a nervous disposition

Stress Conference Summary Session 9

The gang of 2010 - this motley crew – determined to break down the fabric of the working population of this great nation.

Not a jot of a care for trades unions, the workers or their families Stress Conference Summary Session 10

Destroying the benefits systems. Wrecking the lives of those with disabilities Abusing the contracts awarded to provide what should be a public service

Stress Conference Summary Session 11

Directors’ Duties, Corporate Killing – so where does the responsibility lie?

Svitzer Marine fined £1.7m over Flying Phantom tug deaths in the River Clyde killing three crew members

Stephen Humphreys, 33, Eric Blackley, 57, and Robert Cameron, 65, died when the Flying Phantom capsized in thick fog opposite Clydebank College in West Dunbartonshire on 19 December 2007.

Tug owner Svitzer Marine Ltd pleaded guilty to health and safety failures.

It admitted failing to put in place a safe operating procedure after a previous grounding in December 2000.

It is extremely worrying that almost six years on from the tragic deaths

of three men in the course of their employment there has been no fatal

accident inquiry held into those deaths, and no imprisonments . . . ”

Andrew HendersonThompsons Solicitors Stress Conference Summary Session 12

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Where’s the Justice for blacklisted workers prevented from working for exercising their TU rights? What? NO Enquiry?

Hypocrisy Rules Government fails to acknowledge that underhand behaviours by conglomerates need to be investigated, whereas . . . . . . . . .

Stress Conference Summary Session 13

Grangemouth Refinery – Union ‘leverage’ tactics to be probed in disputes enquiry

One rule for the Bosses, another for the workers – are we back to the days of Tolpuddle?

Stress Conference Summary Session 14

Stress Conference Summary Session 15

What can we/you do now?

Stress Conference Summary Session 16

• Work in your branches, your regions and through your TU Conferences and in your workplaces, to secure proper recognition of the issues surrounding stress.

• Ensure that Risk Assessments are carried out and Managers are trained and effective in Taking their responsibilities for workers properly. Engage with members for their views.

• Use elections to secure the right results to put things back on an even keel.

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Stress Conference Summary Session 17

UK Hazards Campaigns

Support Hazards Campaigns and ‘LIKE’ the We Love Red Tape Facebook page

In concluding the weekend, I want to say . . . . .

• Thanks to all our speakers and our workshop leaders

• Thanks to Hillscourt Conference Centre Staff also to NASUWT for the use of their premises

• Many thanks to our excellent Conference Secretary and Treasurer – Les has done a fantastic job once more, and despite trying to retire, we haven’t let him go yet!

• Thanks to my colleagues on the Steering Group for their hard work and support

• Thanks to all the Unions and Branches who have supported us in the years and especially with our newly launched booklet

• Thanks to all of you the delegates – without you, it would have been a very quiet and lonely weekend here

• It’s been a busy time and this is the best ever attendance that we have made in any of our annual conferences

• Travel safely, keep up the good work and we hope to see you again next year!

Stress Conference Summary Session 18

November 2013 Annual Stress Network Conference

Closing Summary