TUC Risks 12th July reported that an official investigation has been launched into union claims that a housing association flouted rules on handling deadly asbestos.
William Whalen, an official with the construction union UCATT, presented a petition at a drama filled meeting of Carlisle City Council last week calling for Carlisle Housing Association to be wound up and its 6,140 homes handed back to the council.
He produced a lump of asbestos, safely wrapped, and brandished it at councillors. Mr Whalen said: 'This is asbestos taken from one of the houses. It was swept up with a shovel, thrown onto a flat wagon and taken to a dump. If that's not dangerous, I don't know what is.'
The union officer added: 'It shows the [lack of] care this housing association has for its employees and the people of this city.' Councillor Ray Bloxham, the environmental portfolio holder, told the meeting an investigation would be launched.
Mr Whalen failed to persuade councillors to reverse the transfer of council houses to Carlisle Housing Association that took place in 2002, after a council official said legal, financial and contractual issues would make the reversal of the housing transfer 'non feasible'. Mr Whalen said he intended to raise the issue at the autumn Labour Party conference. He said: 'I will be asking Gordon Brown to investigate this
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