TEESSIDE SCAFFOLDER
Well-known member
Saltend dispute could spark national protest – union leader warns
The leader of one of the country's biggest trade unions today warned of a summer of discontent among power station and oil refinery workers unless a bitter dispute over jobs at Saltend is resolved.
Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB, accused employers in the industry of being "gung ho" and called for a change of attitude to prevent widespread industrial unrest.
His warning came ahead of a crucial meeting today of shop stewards from across the country to discuss the current row at the bio-ethanol site where there have been almost daily protests for weeks.
Mr Kenny said: "We are becoming increasingly concerned about the deterioration in industrial relations in the engineering construction industry.
"Employers are being gung ho and talking down Britain's skills base. Unless there is a dramatic change in attitude there is a likelihood of a summer of discontent in the industry.
"The GMB is calling on BP to get involved as a matter of urgency before Saltend becomes the touch paper to ignite the seething discontent that exists across the industry."
Shop stewards were meeting today and tomorrow to discuss organising a national day of action, which could involve thousands of workers at power station and oil refinery sites across the UK.
The action would be the worst outbreak of industrial unrest since a row over foreign labour at the Lindsey oil refinery in North Lincolnshire two years ago.
Vivergo said it had made an improved offer of £4,000 to hundreds of workers affected by the termination of a contract with Redhall Engineering Solutions.
"We have continually stressed to the unions that, when new contractors are in place, any new employment opportunities will be advertised so that former Redhall workers can apply for the jobs.
"The new contractors will be impacted by ongoing protest activity, which is why we are trying to resolve the situation quickly for the benefit of all concerned.
"The priority remains to get construction at our site back on track – opening up any new employment opportunities and to ensure that the 500 wider contracted workers can continue in employment," said a spokesman.
The leader of one of the country's biggest trade unions today warned of a summer of discontent among power station and oil refinery workers unless a bitter dispute over jobs at Saltend is resolved.
Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB, accused employers in the industry of being "gung ho" and called for a change of attitude to prevent widespread industrial unrest.
His warning came ahead of a crucial meeting today of shop stewards from across the country to discuss the current row at the bio-ethanol site where there have been almost daily protests for weeks.
Mr Kenny said: "We are becoming increasingly concerned about the deterioration in industrial relations in the engineering construction industry.
"Employers are being gung ho and talking down Britain's skills base. Unless there is a dramatic change in attitude there is a likelihood of a summer of discontent in the industry.
"The GMB is calling on BP to get involved as a matter of urgency before Saltend becomes the touch paper to ignite the seething discontent that exists across the industry."
Shop stewards were meeting today and tomorrow to discuss organising a national day of action, which could involve thousands of workers at power station and oil refinery sites across the UK.
The action would be the worst outbreak of industrial unrest since a row over foreign labour at the Lindsey oil refinery in North Lincolnshire two years ago.
Vivergo said it had made an improved offer of £4,000 to hundreds of workers affected by the termination of a contract with Redhall Engineering Solutions.
"We have continually stressed to the unions that, when new contractors are in place, any new employment opportunities will be advertised so that former Redhall workers can apply for the jobs.
"The new contractors will be impacted by ongoing protest activity, which is why we are trying to resolve the situation quickly for the benefit of all concerned.
"The priority remains to get construction at our site back on track – opening up any new employment opportunities and to ensure that the 500 wider contracted workers can continue in employment," said a spokesman.