Construction workers fighting to defend T & Cs across UK

[butchersapron]

Sparks blockade Cannon Street – 1 week to go to national action

Big protest at the Shard site from 11 this morning as well

 

[butchersapron]

Some more about the early morning protest today.

 

[Riklet]

Are unite still not fully backing such 'cancerous' action yet then? They seem to have some sort of campaign on the go for the action on the 9th, is that a change of position or a half-way gesture?

Good luck to them (again).

 

[dennisr]

And its getting results:

Reports from the North-West and london here:
http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/13088/02-11-2011/construction-protests-showing-results

"Showing that protest works, Balfours have lost the contract for the second part of the Carrington job.
This follows United Utilities refusing to use any of the pay-slashing seven big construction companies, and rumours of other contracts lost for the same reason."

@Riklet- nope, unite 'leadership' are still sitting on their laurels and not backing members fully or mobilising properly for the big one on the 9th

 

[audiotech]

 

[butchersapron]

Report of this mornings picket at Corus.

There was a cheer went up when it was announced that no sparks had went into work. Many of them seeing their workmates blocking traffic turned their cars around, tooting their horns in support of the protest.

 

[butchersapron]

Farringdon site shut down this morning i hear.

 

[dennisr]

Farringdon site shut down this morning i hear.

Yep, the farringdon site had been locked up. Rank and file padlocks on the gates. Over ‎200 at London. All crown house and vvb sparks refused to cross the line when the padlock was finally cut off.

In addition: '30 on Liverpool protest, plus 20 lads from the LJMU site stayed with the protest'. Protests in Newcastle, Glasgow etc (awaiting reports). In Ratcliffe saw this comment "No picket was organised. We all out anyway. The welders called for the action today n we and and the scaffs are standing out in support but embarrassingly the welders can't be arsed to picket and would rather have a lie-in."

(as a side note - because it should be worth repeating in the wake of the 5 million post Lindsey dispute thread we had on here a while ago - the importance of a careful and considered approach as with that taken towards Lindsey workers by socialists on the ground - not only cut across the bollocks at that point in time - it is bearing fruit right now as part of this dispute)

 

[frogwoman]

(as a side note - because it should be worth repeating in the wake of the 5 million post Lindsey dispute thread we had on here a while ago - the importance of a careful and considered approach as with that taken towards Lindsey workers by socialists on the ground - not only cut across the bollocks at that point in time - it is bearing fruit right now as part of this dispute)

yep.

 

[Spanky Longhorn]

Where can I get more info about protests in Newcastle or Middlesbrough?

 

[krink]

Where can I get more info about protests in Newcastle or Middlesbrough?

contact this lot they have been going to all of them NEA

 

[dennisr]

Sparks fighting fund - Please donate!

Dear Comrades in the trade union movement

No doubt you are aware of the Rank and file movement by construction workers mainly led by electricians. We are into our 15th week in our dispute where 7 major electrical companies are proposing to rip up the long standing JIB agreement and impose a new agreement on us with a 35% pay cut and deskilling of our industry. They are holding a gun to our heads sign the new contract or be sacked. We have a fighting fund set up any donations would be very welcome cheques can be made payable to:

joint sites committee
sent to:
70 Darnay Rise, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4XA

In solidarity
Steve Kelly unite national rank and file construction workers committee member
blacklistsg@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/groups/332519048044/doc/10150372334848045

 

[butchersapron]

This morning - Grattes brothers head offices (Kings cross) occupied. No idea if they've buggered off yet or are keeping it going.

 

[dennisr]

This morning - Grattes brothers head offices (Kings cross) occupied. No idea if they've buggered off yet or are keeping it going.

they have left now - got an agreement on talks with Grattes apparently

 

[butchersapron]

Sparks tell Balfours “we won’t sign” in mass defiance protest

Around 100 Unite electricians have handed back unsigned, letters they had received from the construction giant, Balfour Beatty demanding they accept the terms of “sign or be sacked” contracts by next Monday (9th January), in a mass lobby at the company’s head office outside Glasgow.

Rank and file sparks across Scotland had agreed to take part in the collective show of defiance ahead of further protests expected next week.

 

[treelover]

still no media coverage of this significant dispute, not surprised though the media always ignore rank and file/grass roots union opposition..

 

[butchersapron]

The BBC have reported it a number of times.

 

[treelover]

links?

 

[butchersapron]

Construction workers take protest to MSPs at Holyrood

Workers protest outside Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station

 

[butchersapron]

Balfour beatty strike ballot results

Unite electricians have voted by 66% to strike against the “sign or be sacked” contracts being imposed by the construction giant, Balfour Beatty.
The union will not issue a strike call until after a court hearing on 7th February at which the company is seeking an injunction under anti-union legislation to prevent industrial action going ahead

 

[butchersapron]

Unite win the court case Balfour Beatty brought to try and stop the strike.

 

[dennisr]

Unite have issued 7days notice to BBES of STRIKE action

 

[teqniq]

nice.

 

[butchersapron]

Seems like BB have withdrawn from BESNA!

 

[dennisr]

Seems like BB have withdrawn from BESNA!

Yep: http://www.unitetheunion.org/news__...ty_withdraws_contr.aspx#.Tz4-M1dJOFQ.facebook

And if they have - the other 6 will fall into line pretty sharply - nice

Recent update for London based folk:
"TOMORROWS OXFORD STREET PROTEST IS OFF.
THE place to be at is Morrisons at Chalk Farm. Be there at midday.
We are now concentrating 100% on NG BAILEYS
It is imperative that we have a HUGE turnout."

(Saturday 18th February 12:00pm, Morrisons - Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8AA)

 

[BigTom]

Was just about to post that! Great news

 

[dennisr]

Who says you can't win??? )

 

[BigTom]

Yep, let's hope this gives the public sector unions some backbone!

 

[treelover]

just saw this, should be shouted from the rooftops...

 

[Nigel]

Worked on a site quite recentely in Banbur,y Oxfordshire where two young guys from Lithuania were working for £7.00 p.h(plus accommodation). They were apparentely able to do this on the basis that they bwere working with someone who had a ticket, fortunately they were quite sussed(as far as the work was concerned), but you can see the dangers that this could and is almost inevitable to have. De-skilling in construction and civil engineering along with casualisation is pushing work to minimum wage in many cases.