Is your workplace ready for the heatwave? 🌡️Understanding what protections workers have 👇
After years of record temperatures, today’s bank holiday heatwave probably won’t be the last.
With bus driver cabs reaching temperatures in excess of 40°C, outdoor workers overexposed to UV rays, and some staff working in buildings with limited cooling, many workers already know excessive heat isn’t just uncomfortable — it can be dangerous if not handled correctly.
While employers do have a legal and moral duty to protect workers’ under The Health and Safety at Work Act there is currently NO legal maximum working temperature in the UK, leaving grey areas where workers are not fully protected against extreme conditions.
Many people still work in environments with poor ventilation, no temperature control, or no workplace adjustments — despite changing weather patterns across the country.
Our union is demanding clearer policies, including a legal maximum safe working temperature, so employers must put appropriate measures in place — with no ambiguity — and everyone can work in a safe environment.
Use our template letter to call your employer to take action: https://t.co/nb34H3KsMD
#heatwave #BritishWeather #employmentlaw #HealthAndSafety #WorkersRights
@zaldou1874 We will announce as soon as verified. We’re planning to confirm the specific percentage votes and the turnout. Likely around 4pm potentially as late as Thursday morning depending on logistics.
The ballot on the bank’s revised offer ended today with members voting to reject the improved pay offer.
This ballot saw a significantly higher turnout than the previous ballot, demonstrating strong engagement and providing a clear and decisive indication of members’ views.
@sixinaboxdesign@jack_zeuss ACAS talks begin tomorrow. A statement was released on the company intranet on Tuesday and a Unite email issued to members. We’ll update as discussions progress but are working at pace to reach a resolution.
@ShellyWalker84 The bank has issued updates to all workers subject to these pay negotiations, including some joint statements from both parties. Anyone can join Unite and have a say on pay. Nothing has been taken out of anyone’s hand - Unite members voted independently to reject the pay offers.
@jack_zeuss ACAS discussions begin on Thursday. We’ll continue to push for a pay offer that is acceptable to our members. Ultimately, members will decide in a pay ballot whether an offer agreed or not.
1,100 university staff across the University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow School of Art, Edinburgh Napier, and Heriot-Watt are set to strike over an imposed real-terms pay cut 📣
The 'breakthrough' in the Birmingham bins strike, being reported in the press today vindicates our members who have shown incredible strength to keep fighting for 15 months ✊✊
Unite and your general secretary @UniteSharon will always have your back!
@Lord_Vader_999 See our reply above. This is a decision made after every ballot and is undertaken after a full risk assessment for the specific situation. We want the focus, rightly, to be progressing negotiator of revised offer as a priority. Member comms will be issued next week.
@zaldou1874 Turnout was up compared to the first ballot and the result was narrower but still decisive. We’re checking our records but the ballot turnout is likely to be a record best for Unite in NatWest. Rejecting (and accepting) votes came from all grades and pay ranges. (2/2)
@zaldou1874 We’ve made the decision not to public the specific figures for this ballot. We want the focus on the next round of negotiations to be on reaching a suitable offer and to avoid the distraction of debating the size of the rejection or which grade/area of members rejected. (1/2)
We will continue to work with the bank at pace to deliver an improved offer that meets the expectations of our members. Further communications will be issued next week and we will keep you updated on any progress through our usual channels.
While the improved offer was rejected, members have also indicated that progress has been made and that the offer is moving closer to where it needs to be. However, it remains short of delivering a pay increase that members feel properly reflects their contribution.
The Unite in NatWest Pay Ballot closed at 12 noon today. Members have overwhelmingly rejected the NatWest pay offer and have indicated their willingness to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, in pursuit of a fair pay deal.
ACCEPT: 32%.
REJECT: 68%.
@KatieW456938@max_power82 The ballot for the revised offer was issued on Wednesday afternoon. If it’s not in your spam folder, then please feel free to DM this account with your membership number and email address and we can refer it to the digital team on Monday to get a link sent out.
@KatieW456938 Thanks for raising these points. We’ve checked and the revised FAQs were not shared with the Unite NatWest reps in advance of publication but Unite will raise these issues on Monday. A Unite FAQ set was issued this afternoon.
@Stuie2000Stuart The offer is below RPI so has no recommendation or steer from Unite as per our pay claim commitment. Members must make their own decision as with the first offer. In negotiations, when the employer presents a ‘final offer,’ it must be presented to members for their decision.