Union keen for better protection

Friday 26th March 2010, 2:29PM GMT.

Unite assistant general secretary Len McCluskey, left, talked about the lack of protection for workers under local laws. He is seen with regional industrial organiser Ron Le Cras. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0937582)

UNITE union members in Guernsey have been promised more money and expert help to lobby for better labour laws.

Assistant general secretary Len McCluskey visited the island this week to meet local members.

Mr McCluskey said the lack of protection for workers here was shocking.

‘Guernsey does not have the laws to protect working people as exist everywhere else in Europe.

‘I would call on the authorities in Guernsey to open their eyes and to realise that this is not the 19th century but the 21st century and they should grasp the nettle.’

He said health and safety and redundancy laws needed to be updated. He promised more money would be given to local members as well as access to legal experts to help them lobby States members.