Employers and Community union met with Government Minister to discuss safety in betting shops
Employers meet with Community to discuss betting shop safety
Following a successful political campaign by Community –the union for betting shop workers, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell MP organised a meeting that brought the main betting shop employers face-to-face with Community for the first time.
James Purnell said:
“Betting shop workers often handle large amounts of money, work alone and may be viewed as easy targets. Now, concerns over their safety and the reported increases in violence towards these workers has motivated us to take action.”
Community has long been calling for minimum standards in the betting industry and welcomed the fact that betting companies are starting to recognise some of the union’s concerns – although there is a considerable way to go to fully implement the union’s 10 minimum standards.
Following the meeting, the Secretary of State committed to setting up a working group to tackle the issues raised. Community Union will be represented on the working group and will be putting members’ issues directly to the companies - lone-person working, longer opening hours, training and improved security etc.
Community were supported by Ian McCartney MP and John Park MSP who emphasised the need for union involvement as key to the successful implementation of minimum standards and security improvements.
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