Union Proposes Workplace Heat Limits and Furlough Scheme to Labour
A major union has presented Sir Keir Starmer with proposals for maximum workplace temperatures and a heatwave furlough scheme. The plan includes temperature limits and measures to protect workers during extreme heat.
The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), a significant labor organization with 60,000 members, has presented Sir Keir Starmer with a proposal for establishing maximum workplace temperatures and implementing a heatwave furlough scheme. This initiative aims to protect workers during periods of extreme heat, a growing concern in the face of climate change.
The BFAWU, founded in 1847, suggests setting temperature limits of 27 degrees Celsius for strenuous work and 30 degrees for sedentary tasks. These proposed thresholds are notable, considering the UK currently lacks legally enforced maximum working temperatures. The union's plan also includes measures such as:
- Installing fans to reduce heat
- Providing extra breaks
- Adjusting shift patterns to avoid peak temperatures
- Supplying sun lotion
A key component of the proposal is the "heatwave furlough scheme," which would ensure workers receive full pay when production halts due to excessive heat. The union suggests that employers primarily fund this scheme, with potential government support if necessary.
This concept draws parallels to the COVID-19 furlough scheme, which operated from March 2020 to September 2021, providing financial support to workers during the pandemic. A BFAWU spokesperson emphasized, "It's not workers' fault that we are suffering these extreme temperatures. If employers won't take measures to deal with this, it could be that action has to be considered."
The union plans to present this motion on climate change and workers' health at the upcoming Trades Union Congress (TUC) in September 2024. The TUC, established in 1868, has long been a platform for discussing and advancing workers' rights.
Interestingly, the BFAWU disaffiliated from the Labour Party in 2021 following the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn, who led the party from 2015 to 2020. Despite this, the union continues to advocate for workers' rights and climate action.
The proposal also includes a call for a "heat strike" in the summer of 2025 when temperatures exceed 36 degrees Celsius. This concept draws inspiration from the youth climate strikes that began in 2018, highlighting the growing intersection between labor rights and climate activism.
"Loss of earnings in such cases is not the fault of working people. Employers should make up the difference, and if not the Government could help."
It's worth noting that while the UK experienced its highest recorded temperature of 40.3°C in July 2022, current workplace regulations focus on "thermal comfort" rather than strict temperature limits. The Workplace Regulations of 1992 only specify a minimum temperature of 16°C for workplaces.
As climate change continues to impact average temperatures in the UK, with the government targeting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the intersection of worker rights and environmental concerns is likely to become increasingly prominent in labor discussions.
