MPs lend their weight Heathrow Liaison Committee to 23kg campaign news letter MPs John McDonnell , Hayes and attending our campaign day. Even These MPs will be at Heathrow on Unite - the union November 2008 Harlington, , though Alan Keen , and the 10th supporting Unite and Isleworth, Virendra Sharma , Heston cannot attend due to other members in our campaign to Ealing and Southall, Fiona parliamentary duties, he writes in reduce manual handling injuries. 10TH NOVEMBER - NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION MacTaggart , Slough will be support of the campaign. 23 reasons why you should support The employers 23kg bag weight limit .

1. As a baggage handler you are 5 times more 12. And training budgets are being cut back. likely to suffer an injury than other workers. won’t act, 13. Poor risk assessments on manual handling. 2. Latest statistics manual handling injuries up 17% in aviation. 14. Employers do not allow 2-person lifting for heavy bags. 3. Even without an accident, the wear and tear from heavy lifting destroys health. 15. No investment by employers or airport SO WE WILL ! authorities in mechanising baggage services, 4. Other dangerous industries have weight even when in hold equipment is available. limits in place: building and agriculture. 16. Employers cutting back on company sick 5. Passenger numbers are up, aircraft schemes and pressing staff to return early. movements are up but the labour force is being reduced. 17. Industrial injury payments often challenged or denied. 6. Narrow bodied aircraft turn around times are decreasing. 18. Employers rarely pay for physiotherapy or after care and the NHS service is limited. 7. Most narrow bodied aircraft are loaded on knees due to lack of space and there is no 19. Pension provisions if retired due to ill health safe way to do this. being reduced.

8. HSE agrees with a new limit but fails to act. 20. Light duties are restricted to a minimum.

9. Employers agree but renege on agreement 21. More price competition in ground handling 2006. generates short cuts and unsafe working. 22. Cost not service driving factor for tendered 10. Manchester Airport Group do support the contracts. campaign, sadly other airports don’t. Heathrow Shop stewards will be to fly with suitcases weighing over manual handling injury in Aviation 11. Manual handling training can never be 23. Airlines not sharing H&S responsibility with joining their colleagues from 23kg. Reps will be in the terminals than in any other industry. adequate for working on your knees. third party contractors. airports up and down the country distributing leaflets and explaining campaigning on the 23kg bag why we need a reduction. This is your campaign. Display weight limit. Unite is stepping up Inside this edition is your 23kg your poster with pride! Unite has also agreed to a its campaign, starting with the poster. Display it where you can – Lobby of parliament, giving you flying public. Aviation reps along your locker room, crew room, rest L the opportunity to take the with cab drivers, coach drivers and room, canteen, car window and campaign to , date IA MPs will be raising the public anywhere else you think it will have to be published in next edition. C profile. The 10th November is an impact. Remember you are five E ! Transport will be supplied. SP N aimed at educating passengers not times more likely to suffer a IO www.unitetheunion.com/lightenup IT ED Unite – campaigning for a 23KG BAG LIMIT as m o Th k ar M y

Unite aviation b e r u t Fighting for baggage and Pic ground handling workers

www.unitetheunion.com/lightenup