4. Safety reps, safety committees and taking action



Key changes and developments since last year


• the TUC celebrated the achievements of the union movement’s 100,000 safety reps to mark the 40th anniversary of the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 and published new advice on going beyond the legal minimum; 


• a GMB general union safety rep won an employment tribunal case concerning the right to time off to attend a TUC stage 3 training course. 


• the courts and tribunals have handed down several legal judgments on whistleblowing;


• pubic services union UNISON scored a huge legal victory forcing the government to abolish employment tribunal fees;


• the general union Unite has launched new proceedings for more than 70 blacklisted construction workers against four ex-chairmen of the Consulting Association and 13 companies, alleging unlawful conspiracy, breach of privacy, defamation and data protection offences.