Last Monday the door to the screened area at Streatham Pathfinder was kicked in by an angry customer. No staff were in the area at the time so fortunately there are no injuries to report.

Those who work in the BA will recognise this type of incident as not being uncommon, and in the past has not been deemed worthy of note, unless injury occurs. (This is how Mr Darling can tell the world that there were only 163 incidents in BA and ES offices last year.)

A minor incident in the scale of attacks maybe,but this occurred in a Pathfinder office, which we are repeatedly told is a safe working environment, and only 3 weeks after it opened.

We've said before that 33 CCTV cameras, 7 security guards, staff dressed in shiny suits and highly trained in interpersonal skills won't prevent attacks and we need to ensure the safety of staff.

Our Area and National H&S reps will ask to see the CCTV footage, which should show what went wrong, how it went wrong, what preventative action was taken by whom and at what stage. This should be used as a basis for revisiting risk assessments.

With 33 CCTV cameras and 7 security guards, management will of course have sufficient evidence to prosecute the offender for criminal damage. But will they? Can they? Does any CCTV evidence actually exist?

Let us hope that it does, because if it doesn't, we've all been lied to by management about their commitment to staff safety, including any "volunteers" currently working in Streatham who may be reading this.

Well, Pathfinder Management, this is your opportunity to demonstrate your honesty and integrity to your staff. Can you deliver?

WATCH THIS SPACEFOR DETAILS OF DATE/VENUE CHANGES IN THE RUN UP TO XMAS

Weekly meetings for our strikers have been arranged. These are an opportunity to find out the latest news, to meet the strike centre team, and to ask any questions you have. They are also an opportunity to meet and keep in touch with workmates who are also on strike.

The next meeting will be on
FRIDAY 30th NOVEMBER AT 11.30

In room 4.4
PCS HQClapham Junction

FURTHER MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AS FOLLOWS

FRIDAY 7TH DECEMBER PCS HQ ROOM 4.3 at 13.30 (note change of time and room)

TUESDAY 18TH DECEMBER PCS HQ ROOM 4.4 at 11.30 (note change of day)

Orange forms for December strike pay

We need the enclosed orange form back by 5th December to make sure you get your December pay on time.