We were deeplydisappointed to read the story and accompanying letter regarding temperatures at five of our branches in Hull (Travel Weekly 16 August), both of which included comments from one member of our staff.
These implied we were ignoring staff concerns and were expecting them to work in ‘appaling’conditions – this is quite simply untrue and unfair.
Perhaps I can make thefollowing points in theinterests of keeping this matter in proportion:
1. We acted as soon as staff in these particular branches made us aware of the temperature problems during the recent unusually hot spell. The portable air conditioning we installed proved to be ineffective and we subsequently made it clear to all branches that we would install air conditioning as soon as practically possible. In some cases, planning permission is required.
2. There had been an unexpected and unfortunate delay in supplying short-sleeve shirts to the two male staff at the branches. In the meantime, the staff concerned had been told that rolled sleeves were perfectly acceptable.
3. Health-and-safety officials were only involved at two branches, not all five as stated in your story.
We have moved as quickly and effectively as we can in attempting to resolve these problems.
Our staff are our mostvaluable asset and, as our response demonstrated, it is not our practice to ignore these complaints.
Barry Marchant
Group operations manager
Coop Travelcare
Manchester