Handymen working for one of Wirral's biggest social housing providers have announced strike action over new rules that could see them forced to handle deadly asbestos.
More than 100 maintenance and repair workers employed by Magenta Living will begin a week of industrial action from Monday, February 6, and have vowed to strike every other week until April 23, adding up to a total of 30 days.
People living in some 13,000 properties across Wirral have been warned to expect "severe delays in repairs and maintenance" as a result.
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The strike was announced by Unite the Union following a change of Magenta Living's asbestos policy. Previously, workers who identified asbestos were instructed to stop work while further investigations were carried out, with specialist contractors being brought in to remove the deadly substance if needed. Under the new policy, workers are expected to work with asbestos, the union said.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The actions of Magenta Living are deplorable. It is trying to force our members to undertake work they are not properly trained for, which risks their lives and that of tenants.
“Unite never takes a backward step when it comes to ensuring the safety of its workers and our members at Magenta will receive the union’s complete support.”
There were more than 5,000 deaths due to exposure to asbestos in 2020, according to latest figures. This includes 2,500 from mesothelioma, an incurable cancer of the lining of the lung caused by being exposed to asbestos. The substance, which was used as insulation material for buildings, boilers and pipes; car brakes and floor tiles, was not banned in the UK until 2000, and it remains in many of the homes built before that date.
Unite regional officer John Sheppard said: “Strike action will inevitably lead to severe delays and disruption to tenants' homes. However this industrial action is being taken as a last resort as Magenta Living is introducing policies that risk the lives of its staff and tenants.
“Magenta Living has been given every opportunity to resolve this dispute through negotiations but it has refused to do so.”
A Magenta Living spokesman said: "This is a dispute relating to health and safety working practices when dealing with low-risk asbestos materials and follows consultation with the trade union on this issue for over two years.
"We see colleague safety as a priority and have developed robust procedures with an independent industry expert who has confirmed this is the safest way of working around low-risk asbestos materials. These procedures follow Health and Safety Executive guidance, and we believe they mirror industry best practice widely adopted across the housing sector and amongst the construction industry nationwide. We have also employed an industry specialist to help address the perceived risk amongst our workforce including more advanced training.
"We are deeply saddened that this strike action is planned despite us continuing to hold discussions throughout this week with the offer of additional remuneration, further training, help and support. "
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