The Scottish Trades Union Congress has expressed anger at the fines imposed on ABF Grain Products Ltd and TNT Logistics following the death of agency truck driver, Graham Meldrum. The two companies were fined £19500 and £14000 respectively after entering guilty pleas to breaches of health and safety regulations.
Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said,
“It is appalling that the two companies have been able to walk away from court having been fined such a paltry amount given the tragic consequences of their failures. Meanwhile, his surviving partner Karen left court feeling cheated by a justice system that continues to differentiate between involuntary acts of homicide in society and those that take place in the workplace.
“We need to ensure that agency workers are given the same training other workers, given a voice with workplaces and are not treated like work tools to be used and abused as employers see fit.
“This prosecution is the latest example of how our politicians continue to let grieving families down by refusing to bring forward corporate homicide legislation that delivers justice by giving courts the option to impose more appropriate sentences following conviction, including jailing company officials where their actions contribute to the death.
“On this occasion the Sheriff has made reference to the restriction on penalties that he could impose, a restriction placed on our lower courts by the UK Government. The Government committed to increasing penalties for health and safety offences as far back as 2000 and yet again, as far as protecting the rights of workers and their families are concerned, they have failed to deliver”.
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