16 May 2011
Suspended staff statement
As a trade union we do not comment on the details
of disciplinary matters but such has been the publicity
created by the recent suspensions in a council department
(Seven more suspended in fraud probe, News, May
11), we feel there is a need to set some of the
record straight.
Firstly, the suspensions are "precautionary" for
the process of the investigation and do not imply
any guilt. Often such suspensions are as much to
protect the member of staff concerned as for any
other reason.
Secondly, the numbers and proportion of staff suspended,
quoted in some media reports, are exaggerated and
the majority of staff are carrying on working under
difficult conditions to provide a crucial service.
And thirdly, comments about being "sent out to
walk the streets" looking for notices to serve,
most likely refers to a previous practice of proactively
trying to identify any danger of loose masonry masonry.
Evening News readers will recall the tragedy and
near misses in the past due to falling masonry.
John Stevenson,
President,
UNISON City of Edinburgh branch,
George IV Bridge, Edinburgh