TEESSIDE SCAFFOLDER
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Workers in pay protest at Steel House
by Chris Hole, Evening GazetteNov 16 2011inShare.0 1WORKERS gathered again today to protest at potential changes to their working conditions.
Between 80 and 100 members of the Unite union, including electricians labourers and scaffolders, returned to Steel House, near Redcar.
Today’s action follows a previous protest last Wednesday, and several others that have been held around the UK.
Passing commuters beeped their horns as they drove past to signal their support, and there was also a police presence at the site.
Workers decided to take action following an announcement in changes in contracts. They say they fear a 35% pay cut.
One protestor, a 50-year-old from Middlesbrough said: “These protest are about freezing wages. It’s a national ballot as these changes are going to have a knock-on effect on everybody.”
One labourer added he was already struggling to buy clothes and nappies for his children on his current wage.
Balfour Beatty and another seven major electrical contractors, announced in May they are to impose new contracts on electricians, scrapping a Joint Industry Board (JIB) agreement.
The JIB agreement had been in place for 40 years and set pay and working conditions. It has been replaced by a Building and Engineering Services National Agreement (BESNA).
A police spokeswoman said: “Police are currently monitoring a peaceful protest of around 80 to 100 people who have gathered at two of the gates at the SSI site on Teesside
Read More Workers in pay protest at Steel House - Breaking news - News - Gazette Live
by Chris Hole, Evening GazetteNov 16 2011inShare.0 1WORKERS gathered again today to protest at potential changes to their working conditions.
Between 80 and 100 members of the Unite union, including electricians labourers and scaffolders, returned to Steel House, near Redcar.
Today’s action follows a previous protest last Wednesday, and several others that have been held around the UK.
Passing commuters beeped their horns as they drove past to signal their support, and there was also a police presence at the site.
Workers decided to take action following an announcement in changes in contracts. They say they fear a 35% pay cut.
One protestor, a 50-year-old from Middlesbrough said: “These protest are about freezing wages. It’s a national ballot as these changes are going to have a knock-on effect on everybody.”
One labourer added he was already struggling to buy clothes and nappies for his children on his current wage.
Balfour Beatty and another seven major electrical contractors, announced in May they are to impose new contracts on electricians, scrapping a Joint Industry Board (JIB) agreement.
The JIB agreement had been in place for 40 years and set pay and working conditions. It has been replaced by a Building and Engineering Services National Agreement (BESNA).
A police spokeswoman said: “Police are currently monitoring a peaceful protest of around 80 to 100 people who have gathered at two of the gates at the SSI site on Teesside
Read More Workers in pay protest at Steel House - Breaking news - News - Gazette Live