City of Glasgow College Dispute

City of Glasgow College employs 8 lecturing staff within the welding department. After a visit to her GP in November 20215 the EIS-FELA H&S Rep became aware that she was being exposed to welding fumes at work without adequate safety measures in place.

These fumes have been known to be carcinogenic since 2017.

It was obvious from the initial discussion and subsequent sight of existing risk assessments for welding and all other activities carried out in the department that safety arrangements were inadequate; all members complained of health issues related to work and the response of the employer was dismissive and unhelpful. Our Safety Rep was labelled “alarmist” by the management side.

The EIS-FELA branch lodged a dispute with college management as follows:

"The nature of the dispute is as follows:

• Ongoing welding and related activities are taking place without a satisfactory health and safety assessment.

• Appropriate risk assessments have not been completed or shared with staff.

• There is inadequate provision of required protective equipment for those involved in or exposed to the activity.

• These issues present potential and avoidable health risks to staff and students.”

The proposed resolution by the branch was for the “immediate cessation of all welding and associated activities until:

• A full and transparent external health and safety investigation and risk assessment (be) carried out,

• Appropriate controls and protective equipment are in place, and

• The findings and assurances are formally shared with EIS-FELA."

On 3rd December at first dispute meeting the proposed resolution from the branch was:

1. Suitable and sufficient risk assessments in place
2. Suitable information being available including systems and training
3. Correct use of all control measures
4. Suitable PPE (may not be required permanently)
5. Arrangements for cleaning PPE, as this cannot not be washed in staff or students houses. 
6. A competent assessor for LEV
7. Engage with our safety reps in terms of legislation
8. Environmental Dust needs to be adequately controlled 
9. Health Surveillance for all affected members of staff to be in place
10. Consider health surveillance on a sampling basis for students
11. Have discussions over the roles and responsibilities in terms of contracts and lecturers undertaking part of the technician role. 

The College did suspend welding activities from the end of November, initially saying this was unnecessary. Other activities, despite EIS-FELA incorporating them in the dispute from 3rd December have continued an ad-hoc basis, despite senior management advising that they were to be paused. As a result nearly all 8 members have at various times during this dispute had to invoke their rights under Section 44 (Employment Rights Act) to protect themselves from serious and imminent danger in the workplace.

An indicative ballot for industrial action of the immediately affected members took place with 100% Yes vote with 100% turnout.