Socialist Appeal - Sparks dispute; critical weeks ahead

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Sparks dispute; critical weeks ahead

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By Steve Kelly
Thursday, 19 January 2012
The next few weeks are the most important for us in the electrical/mechanical trades since the JIB was formed back in 1968. Wages could be slashed by as much as 35% - Site workers, you stand to lose £240 a week on a basic 40 hour wage if you sign the new contract being pushed by the Besna 7. Think of what sparks and pipefitters fought to gain for you in the past, think of what you stand to lose, think of what your children and grandchildren stand to lose. At the stroke of a pen the agreements we all fought for could be finished for ever and it won’t stop - there will be more wage cuts to come. Once these firms start they won’t rest - before you know it you will be on £8 an hour. You must not sign. Stand up and fight for your rights. We have the upper hand. We are the workers who build their factories, offices, power stations etc. Without us, these firms are nothing. The labour we provide, day in day out, earns them billions, yet they give us breadcrumbs. Union power must be brought to bear. As reported last month, action took place around the country on December 7th - the day the Balfour Beatty strike was set to take place. Since that magnificent meeting of rank and file site workers took place way back in August, there has been protests outside sites each week. Now Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey has met members of the Rank And File Committee to discuss the way forward for the dispute and has pledged the full backing of the union. Regular meetings will now take place - this is an important step forward. Assistant GS Gail Cartmail spoke at a Rank and File meeting held in Birmingham in January. Again she pledged support. Now they must turn words into action and bring the full might of the union into play in this critical dispute. A good result on the Balfour Beatty reballot will set the tone and show the bosses we mean business! The workers united will never be defeated!

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