Community at TUC & Labour Party Conference Fringe events 2008

DON'T GAMBLE ON HEALTH AND SAFETY

Community has raised the issue of the threat of Violence and abuse of staff in the betting shop industry during both the TUC Congress 2008 and the Labour Party Conference 2008.

By hosting fringe meetings at both events Community sought to raise the profile of the issue of the violent and threatening atmosphere that Community members experience at work every day.

The Community speakers at the TUC fringe meeting

(l-r) Michael J. Leahy OBE, Christine Hardacre, Denis McShane MP and John Park MSP

The TUC Congress is the policy making body of the 6 million strong trade Union movement. Community President Keren Bender moved a motion supporting Betting Shop workers that was accepted by the TUC and has been incorporated into TUC policy.

At the ‘Stop Gambling on Health & Safety’ fringe meeting that Community hosted, General Secretary Michael J. Leahy, OBE and Regional Director Christine Hardacre were joined by Denis McShane MP for Rotherham and John Park MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife.

General Secretary Michael J. Leahy OBE at the fringe meeting

Denis McShane MP at Community's fringe meeting

John Park MSP discussing his support of the campiagn to protect betting shop workers

Clockwise from top left:

General Secretary Michael J. Leahy OBE

Denis McShane MP for Roherham

John Park MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife

At the Labour Party Conference Fringe, General Secretary Michael J. Leahy OBE and Regional Director Heather Meldrum were joined by Gerry Sutcliffe MP Minister for Sport and John Park MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife.

The speakers at the Fringe meeting

(l-r) Heather Meldrum, Michael J. Leahy OBE,

Gerry Sutcliffe MP and John Park MSP.

The Labour Party Conference gathers MP’s, MSP’s, Welsh Assembly members, Labour Councilors and other opinion makers. Community has organised a tri-partite meeting between the union, the Minister for Sport and Gaming and the heads of the Betting Shop companies to discuss the need for action to prevent assaults on staff.

Community also asked John Park MSP to share his experiences of our campaign in Scotland before we launch the campaign in Wales and London.

Community also spoke to local councilors as a key part of our strategy to make betting shops into safer workplaces. Local councils regulate betting shops in their communities and Community is contacting councils to distribute our minimum standards charter