20 September 2011
Suspended staff statement
As a trade union we do not comment on the details
of disciplinary matters but such has been the publicity
created by the recent suspensions in a City of Edinburgh
Counicl department, we feel there is a need to set
some of the issues into context.
The suspensions are "precautionary" for the process
of the investigation and do not imply any guilt.
Often such suspensions are as much to protect the
member of staff concerned as for any other reason.
In the interests of all parties, it is important
that the investigation is not compromised or influenced
by outside parties or media speculation.
Council staff are carrying on working under difficult
conditions to provide an essential service that
was set up to ensure Edinburgh's heritage is preserved
and the public are protected.
Comments made earlier in the media about being
"sent out to walk the streets" looking for notices
to serve, most likely refers to a previous practice
of proactively trying to identify any danger of
loose masonry. Edinburgh citizens will recall the
tragedy and near misses in the past due to falling
masonry.