Iain Duncan Smith is the man behind the decision not to appoint the TUC-backed candidate to the board of the Health and Safety Executive, UnionNews understands.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack was nominated for the position by the TUC, yet former FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume was appointed instead.
A spokesperson from the Department of Work and Pensions told UnionNews Matt Wrack was unsuccessful in the interview stage and that Jonathan Baume has over 40 years’ experience as a trade union representative and is therefore more that capable of representing the interests of employees.
But the decision has angered trade unions, who fear the it is a deliberate attempt to weaken their influence on a board that has, until now, been split equally between representatives of employers and workers.
Writing in a blog at Stronger Unions, the TUC’s Head of Organisation and Services Kevin Rowan said:
This is not about the individuals. It is about who can decide who represents workers. If the government can decide this without any discussion with trade unions then it makes a mockery of the whole process.FBU president Alan McLean said: “The government’s decision not to appoint Matt Wrack suggests a serious weakening of any commitment to health and safety. Firefighters know very well that health and safety is not a matter for silly press stories – it is frequently a matter of life and death. The government’s decision further threatens the future of health and safety provision for workers in the UK.”
“The decision not to appoint Matt Wrack shows exactly what the government wants, which is a compliant board to administer the organisation and make sure it delivers what the government wants. It wants to smother any independence and any challenge.”
To comply with strict guidelines regarding the appointments to public bodies, the final decision is taken by the appropriate minister; in this case, Works and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith.
The DWP spokesperson confirmed to UnionNews there was no change in the process on this occasion, but would not say who sat on Matt Wrack’s interview panel nor who nominated Jonathan Baume for the post.
She said: “The process for appointment of Non-Executive Directors to the HSE Board is governed by statue and is carried out in a fair and open way with appointments made on merit.
“The appointment of a non TUC sponsored candidate on this occasion does not affect the ability of the Board to represent employee interests nor does it undermine the tripartite nature of the Board. Indeed, two TUC nominated candidates remain on the HSE Board.”
The two TUC-nominated candidates are GMB general secretary Paul Kenny and the TUC’s head of equality and employment rights Sarah Veale.
Union News
