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Transport Unions Warn Swine Flu Could Paralyse UK

Transport union RMT has warned of severe pressure on staffing levels and serious safety risks across the transport system if the number of cases of swine flu increases dramatically. The union alert came as experts advised that up to 40 per cent of the population could become ill with the condition over the coming weeks. RMT said transport workers are known to be at greater risk of infection as they tend to work in close contact with the public and colleagues, and often in confined spaces like trains, buses, the Underground, ferries and offices.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: 'We are demanding to see the contingency transport plans that have been drawn up in Whitehall and to be involved in future discussions on dealing with the flu pandemic. RMT members are seriously concerned about the safety implications of so many staff being off sick at the same time.'

The Observer reported last week:

Vital sections of society could be paralysed if swine flu reaches epidemic proportions as expected, the government has been warned.

A Whitehall meeting of emergency services and business chiefs has been told that more than a third of Britain's businesses have no response plans at all for dealing with the pandemic, while specific fears have been raised about the ability of the country's broadband network and the London Underground to operate effectively.

Earlier Personnel Today reported that some businesses could be unable to run if they have not developed robust contingency plans to deal with swine flu, according to a CIPD survey.

The Chartered Management Institute revealed that 38% of organisations have no continuity plans and 19% have plans that are weak set up.

Mike Emmott, employee relations adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) told Personnel Today that contingency plans were essential to ensure a business's survival, but the recession had distracted many HR teams.

"A high proportion of businesses have not got around to [contingency planning for swine flu] yet because they have other priorities like dealing with the recession. Also the standard response is 'what can you do about it?'

"But the implications of failing to get it right could be very serious for individual businesses and their futures. Certainly some businesses could have to stop running.

"If you can't do the business then you stand to lose income. It's a survival issue."

He said that small and medium sized businesses were the most likely to have no contingency plans, but would also be the worst affected if numbers of staff were off sick.

The TUC says in its Pandemic Guidance booklet:

"The outbreak of an influenza pandemic is more than just a public health issue. It will have a major effect in the workplace. Large numbers of people are likely to be absent at any one time. In the event of schools closing (which is a high possibility) many workers with children will find it impossible to go to work. Likewise, those who have partners or dependents who become ill may also not come to work. This would have a major impact on all aspects of health and social care, as well as on the economy as whole.

The TUC believes that trade unions and employers, working together, can make a significant difference in ensuring that the effects of the pandemic are minimised, that the workforce are educated and informed on transmission issues, and in helping ensure there is no panic.

Unions will also have a major part to play in ensuring that those workers who are ill as a result of infection stay at home and do not come in to work either through misplaced loyalty or employer pressure."

Source: TUC / Risks / Observer / CIPD / Personnel Today

Download TUC Pandemic Guide from the E-Library Database

 


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