Council commit to TUC's Dying to Work charter
18 November 2020
Derry City and Strabane District Council has today added its name to a charter aimed at helping employees who become terminally ill at work.
Council is the latest employer to sign up to the Trade Union Congress's Dying to Work Voluntary Charter. It is part of the TUC's wider Dying to Work campaign which is seeking greater security for terminally ill workers where they cannot be dismissed as a result of their condition.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Brian Tierney, said that it was an important commitment by Council after adding his name to the charter alongside Council Chief Executive John Kelpie, as well as Alan Law (NIPSA) and Gareth Scot (UNITE).
"As a Council we want to send out a clear message that we will do everything we can to support our staff, especially at a time when they are dealing with a terminal illness diagnosis.
"It is an unimaginably difficult thing for anyone to have to deal with, and our priority is that no employee in that situation should have any concerns or stress about their position within Council," said Mayor Tierney.
"By signing this charter, we are making our position clear – we support terminally-ill workers and will continue to do that moving forward."
TUC Midlands Regional Secretary Lee Barron, added: "Your job should be the least of your worries when you get a terminal diagnosis.
"I'm delighted that Derry City and Strabane District Council have shown real leadership in this area, working with unions to guarantee fair treatment for terminally-ill workers.
"We now have a million workers being covered by the Dying to Work charter, and we expect more employers to commit in the coming months."