The union for Betting Shop workers

 Community Union - the trade union for betting shop workers - has today welcomed the launch of the Safebet Alliance in London as a first step in improving safety for betting shop workers.

Community was instrumental in the Government setting up a roundtable of betting industry stakeholders to look at how operators could make improvements in health and safety. The roundtable contributed to the development of the Safebet Alliance.

Commenting on the launch, Christine Hardacre, Regional Director and Community’s representative on the betting industry roundtable said:

“This is a welcome first step but the industry must go further in improving safety for betting shop workers - for too long betting shop operators have been gambling with health and safety.

“We hope that the continued dialogue between industry stakeholders, including Community, will give safety the priority that it deserves.”

The industry roundtable, in which Community plays an active role representing betting shop workers’ views, will be moving on to discuss national standards that will also address other forms of violence and abuse in betting shops.

Community will be calling for full implementation of its’ ‘10 Minimum Standards’ including: an end to single staffing, mag locks in all shops and safe cash-in-transit procedures.

Ends.

Editors Notes:

1. Community- the union for life – organises across the UK economy, in traditional manufacturing industries – such as steel, plastics, textiles and domestic appliances – and newer service sectors like social care and betting shops. The National League of the Blind and Disabled is also a part of Community.
2. Community represents members across the betting shop industry.
3. Community’s 10 Minimum Standards can be found on the Community website: http://www.community-tu.org/information/102838/minimumstandards/
4. The Safebet Alliance is a Voluntary Code of Robbery Security Standards for London Bookmakers