Dr Minjie Cai, Prof. Sian Moore, Dr Chris Ball, Dr Matt Flynn, and Ken Mulkearn have published an article in Industrial Relations Journal examining the role of union health and safety representatives during the COVID-19 pandemic within the UK food processing, distribution, and retail sectors.
This mixed-methods research was commissioned by the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Their research highlights the weakness of the UK's occupational health and safety infrastructure exposed by COVID-19 pandemic. Utilising a political economy perspective, it captures the critical role of workplace union safety representatives in mitigating risk and contesting the expropriation of health and recommodification of labour, specifically inadequate sick pay.
The researchers would like to express their gratitude to the research participants and the Trade Union Congress, particularly Shelly Asquith, for their generous support of this project, as well as Professors Stephanie Tailby and Philip Taylor for their valuable feedback.
Their publication is available through early access:
