Community is surveying members on the impact of the industries think21 policy
Community Union Says Re-think Think 21!
The Gambling Commission’s recent discovery that every high street betting shop chain has allowed underage gambling in the previous 12 months has shocked the industry into action and seen the creation of the Think 21! initiative. Community Union – the union for betting shop workers – is concerned the Think 21! initiative is putting the jobs of loyal, hard-working staff in jeopardy at all major betting chains. The union welcomes a commitment to combating the problem of underage gambling but feels the major betting chains have merely passed the buck onto their staff by introducing disciplinary procedures instead of appropriate training.
Community Union Campaign Manager John-Paul McHugh said,
‘We want the betting shop chains to re-think Think 21. The High Street bookies are failing their staff and failing their local communities. Underage gambling is a serious problem that requires appropriate training and support not threats and entrapment.
'The Think 21! Initiative was an ideal opportunity for the industry to work with Community Union and their employees to resolve a major issue in the sector, but again they have failed and the Gambling Commission is equally failing to grasp the issue of underage gambling which is far wider than Licensed Betting Offices.’
Community Union will be raising its concerns with Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport and sharing the experiences of its members that have been targeted for dismissal.
More information on Think 21 is available here