sawmonkey220

Ha love the comments about starting your career on £8, for alot of lads in our company thats as high as they're ever gonna get! I really want to move to the mainland where you guys get a proper wage in return for your efforts, just gotta convince the missus! Its almost laughable how badly managed this firm is, staff morale is rock bottom as everybody knows there is no future in it. I would be surprised if it s still trading in a couple of years. Quite an amusing example of the attitude of management/ owners came a couple of years ago when all the men were assembled to be told that their customary xmas bonus (a modest sum you can be sure) was instead going to be donated to the spider monkeys at the zoo!!

Sorry for not updating folks, was too busy taking stupid risks for no financial gain over the weekend but thats what hobbies are for! Regarding the hearing, the lads decided to go in with our H&S rep so I wasn't present. I'll try and fill you in as best I can. The reasons why the climbers felt the trees were unsafe were: ground was waterlogged, three neighbouring larch had uprooted, trees were infested with ivy preventing proper inspection. These seem like reasonable enough concerns to me I suppose but the manager concerned did not try to reason with the men but just resorted to shouting. A risk assessment was carried out but our standard RA doesnt have space for entries regarding tree condition and none of us are qualified to make judgements about what is dangerous. At the hearing the company asserted that the main reason for refusal to climb was down to the boys wanting to get home on time rather than legitimate safety concerns, not having been there I can't really comment on that. One of the other amusing policies implemented by the company is that we don't get overtime until we've worked 44 1/2 hours. All the men, including the guy with less than a years experience received final written warnings. Regarding the question of low pay, ok its not directly relevant but pay rate is usually commensurate with experience. With this company and in this financially underdeveloped region that is Northern Ireland employers can get away with paying ridiculously low wages as there are few other companies to go to. Ive worked with most of these guys for three years and none of them have ever before refused a tree. Speaking only for myself, Ive been climbing for just over 7 years and have never refused to climb either though should have done a few times- I think trying to work with frozen ropes at easter 2010 was probably the worst. I totally understand alot of the comments above regarding the nature of the job- I love a challenge. Just wanted to know how much we had to justify our decision if we were face with something we thought dangerous. Also very interested re dog crap comments- we usually just trail on and hope we can get it all washed off before lunch! Final note on the climbers, two of the six handed in their notice today and will be moving onto better things and good luck to them.

Ok, I'll answer your questions as best as I can. I had no role at all in the incident, I was about thirty miles away at the time so havent seen site. Im basing my comments on what Ive been told by the climbers involved. I may have to accompany the least experienced climber into disciplinary hearing tomorrow. The trees were not climbed by the surveyor until the whole arguement had turned heated and he climbed into it to prove it could be done. As I said above my main questions would be why a MEWP couldnt be used or the work deferred until climatic conditions improved. There has been two fairly serious accidents in our company this year and all the employees are concerned about getting hurt and relying on statutory.

Hi folks. I have a query regarding disciplinary action being taken against some of my colleagues for refusing to climb what they deemed to be dangerous trees. The incident occurred last week the day after the big storm in which a man was killed on the roads by a tree being uprooted. Temperatures were just above freezing, with ice and snow on ground and at height but weather was clear and wind light. Trees which were to be climbed were leaning heavily. Employees present were all climbers, ranging in experience from only a few months to perhaps six years. The men genuinely believed the trees were hazardous to climb on the day and requested use of alternative access method- MEWP or crane, both of which are owned by the company though i am unsure wether there was access. Management refused to consider alternative and the attempt to resolve matter degenerated into a screaming match. One point to note is that the manager involved does hold tree survey course. Another noteworthy aspect of the situation is that the wage of the employees ranged from £6.50 to £8.50 per hour, fairly low for the industry I believe. It is company policy not to pay any sick pay if an employee is injured in the course of their work.The employees are now facing disciplinary hearing for refusing a reasonable request. My question is how the employees right to refuse dangerous work tasks , under the Health and safety Act applies in the tree industry?

There isnt much sign of a recovery in the arb industry, got laid off by my old company three weeks ago along with five other men- the rest are probably losing their jobs at the end of the week.Had been working for that company for four years. Went and called every tree company in northern ireland; felt like a right tit begging for a job and pretty much everybody said no but a few requested a cv. Finally last week got an interview and started new job today. Its not great as theres only a few months guaranteed work, Im down £2 an hour and have to commute for an hour each way but its better than the dole or an office job. Keep tryin folks, the tide will turn some time