Over 600 construction workers walked out today at Ratcliffe power
station in support of a suspended unite safety rep
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!
