Ratcliffe walkout

Details

Wednesday, 30 May 2012

Written by A Hazard

Over 600 construction workers walked out today at Ratcliffe power station in support of a suspended unite safety rep. Six weeks ago the safety rep was suspended for alleged bullying. He had a hearing to decide if he was to be reinstated by the company (Spies) but up to now no result from the hearing had been announced. The rep has now been told he will be reinstated but must go to another job.  He refused to accept this. Unite officials have sat back as usual - seems to be Bernard Mcaulay's favourite hobby at the moment!

At the rnf meeting in liverpool last weekend, it was decided to mount a protest at Ratcliffe.  Over 50 rnf activists converged on the site at 6am and spoke to workers as they were going in. Meetings were held on site and various trades: pipefitters, welders, scaffolders, sparkies  - all voted to walkout and support their suspended brother. Fantastic! Over 600 eventually took action. Another protest is planned for next Thursday - it gives the company bosses time to have 'a rethink.'  No doubt Unite officials will be involved in talks but this has been draggging on far too long now.  This is a blatant attack on the rnf - the lad concerned played a key role during the BESNA dispute and this attack is just the company's way of trying to break the union.  A while ago the site steward and safety reps were transferred to Dundee, hundreds of miles from their homes. Perhaps the lads on Ratcliffe should stay out longer next time until their safety rep is reinstated once and for all.

One out, all out!