Proposals To Turn Council Staff Into Informers Could Place Staff In Very Grave Danger Says GMB...

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Date: 23 March 2007

Union condemns total lack of consultation on proposals that need to be thought through very deeply

Brian Strutton, GMB National Secretary for the Public Services, commenting on a report in today’s Times newspaper about secret plans to require council staff to tip off police about anyone they believe could commit a violent crime said, “These proposals are a bolt out of the blue. Trades unions representing council workers know absolutely nothing about these proposals. Why has there been no consultation with employee representatives on these far reaching proposals. Any such proposals need to be thought through very deeply.

GMB’s immediate reaction is that these proposals go way beyond the duties of citizens and employees to co-operate with the police. If these proposals were enacted this would create the need for some form of reporting system. Council workers making reports would live in fear of recriminations. Reports could put employees at risk. There is no question that these proposals would give rise to very grave dangers for council workers.”

End

Contact: Rose Conroy, GMB Press Officer on 07974 251823 or Steve Pryle, GMB

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