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Discussion and
finding of common ground between community and Kronospan
through Unite.
BC introduced
the members of the meeting and briefly explained the reason
for it. JG thanked the Council for the invite.
Four questions
were sent out prior to the meeting and are addressed below:
1.
Of the total work force represented by the union, how
many live in Chirk.
JG responded
by informing the Council that nearly 60% of Kronospan’s
workforce (661 direct employees) live within six miles of
Chirk. 158 employees live directly in Chirk. It is a local
employer, JG fears this is getting lost in interpretation.
2.
How does the Union monitor the health of its members
in relation to work place risk at Kronospan and are there
any concerns?
JG reported
that health surveillance is a statutory obligation on
Kronospan. Hearing, vision, lung function, urine, drug and
alcohol tests are completed once a year together with spot
checks. There is a full trade union health and safety
committee who look for patterns in absence. Patterns would
be noted and investigated. JG has no concerns.
3.
What level of reported work place accidents are there
and how do these compare to industry averages?
JG reported
six accidents per 100,000 hours in last 12 months at
Kronospan. Accidents have reduced by 35% over the past five
years. In 2021 there have been more near misses reported,
which is encouraged by all staff to ensure things are
reported and fixed before an accident happens.
Industry
standards – difficult to get information as wood panel
industries do not make it available. Kronospan is no worse
than any other company. In the last 10 years ASC Plastics
and Airbus have reported fatalities, whereas Kronospan has
not. Accidents that are reported can be anything from a
paper cut to a broken leg. As always in any industry there
is the possibility of accidents happening, but Kronospan are
taking all the correct measures to reduce that risk.
4.
Are the union and its members aware of Chirk resident
complaints regarding emissions and noise and are these
discussed with management?
DP and TC
responded. Management meetings discuss complaints daily,
also discussed in health and safety/trade union meetings.
DP and TC live
in Chirk with 70 years of service between them, they are
first to knock on directors doors if issues arise that
affect the community. Staff do care, more than people
think.
JG raised the
appropriateness of the question? BC advised that question
four was to find common ground.
TE stated he
is not anti Kronospan, he wants them to be successful etc,
but also wants them to be good neighbours. Dust has been
awful over the school playgrounds and out towards Rhos y
Waun. TE wrote to the company and public protection and had
not received a response. JG wished to know who TE had
written to, TE responded. LP supported TE with regards to
the dust situation.
BC asked how
many people are sub-contractors? JG said she didn’t have the
information as they only have information for core
employees.
TE highlighted
the gas station explosion – at 7.30am reported to WCBC and
Kronospan, 8am had to chase up. WCBC came back in the
afternoon and said there was no issue, report again if
needed. Another resident complained the next day. TE
reported no answer. Next day there was a gas explosion.
Also, in
October 2019 there was a smell of formaldehyde and gas along
Lodgevale - reported it, again no response. Eight weeks
later largest fire in history.
DP wants
Council to know that they are constantly reporting local
issues to management and that is then escalated to JG and
even further if needed.
NJ asked how
Chirk Town Council can help in order to get more action.
The Council wants to offer support.
TE thanked JG,
DP and TC for attending the meeting but, in future, would
like better dialogue in future.
BC thanked the
Unite members and said that it had been a useful meeting and
requested a further meeting take place in the future. JG
said she wanted to work in partnership with the Council and
the community.
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