Time to organise our future - buildingWORKER - DECENT PAY FOR ALL DIRECT EMPLOYMENT INVESTMENT IN - Unite the union
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
INSIDE: HS2 Apprentices Mental health
Spring 2021 The magazine for construction sector members
buildingWORKER Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Time to
organise
our future
DECENT PAY FOR ALL
DIRECT EMPLOYMENT
INVESTMENT IN
APPRENTICESHIPS
AND SKILLS
WORLD CLASS
HEALTH & SAFETY
Had an accident?
FREE specialist legal
support is just a call away
v e b e en With Un
y o u h a BENEFIT ite you can
If e d i n an from:
involv nt at or • Reco
accide m work,
vering 1
persona 00% of
your
a y f r o • Union
l injury
compen
aw e x p e rt funded
l
sation
our represe e g a l
o r s a re ntation
for pers
solici t injury a onal
o h e l p. • Perso
nd emp
l o yment c
h e re t
nal Inju ases
and you ry claim
r family s for yo
u
Call 0800 709 007
www.unitetheunion.org
www.unitelegalservices.org
2 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2020
ES/7143/12-15
Spring 2021 The magazine for Unite
construction sector members
At this difficult time I hope that you
and your family are safe and well.
buildingWORKER The COVID-19 pandemic has left a
terrible shadow over the entire country.
Contents
In recent months the efforts of everyone
at Unite have been concentrated on
keeping members safe.
3 Gail Cartmail, assistant The vast majority of construction work
general secretary, editorial has continued throughout successive
lockdowns. As a result Unite launched
its own Covid construction advice
4 National news which is far more comprehensive than
advice from industry bodies (see page 4).
6 Regional news
It has not just been on construction sites where Unite has
8 International news intervened, housing maintenance workers have expressed severe
concern that in many cases workers have been expected to continue
Japan will
have to pay undertaking routine maintenance in tenants homes. As a result,
compensation Unite has released clear guidance for housing maintenance workers
to workers (page 15) and has secured some notable victories forcing employers
exposed to to adopt safer policies.
asbestos.
Thanks to the development of a vaccine we seem to be finally
Getty Images
emerging from the worst of the pandemic, although vigilance is
still vital, now we need to be looking ahead and learning the lessons
COVID-19 has taught us.
9 Pay and bargaining update It is clear that many construction workers are going to bear the
scars of the pandemic for some time. Not all scars are visible,
10 Paul Mooney, mental health workers’ mental health has taken a huge beating in the past year.
challenges interview It is an issue that leading Scottish activist Paul Mooney discusses
on page 10-11.
12 Mental health poster I would also request that you place the mental health poster on page
12-13 on your workplace noticeboard. It is essential that all workers
14 buildingWORKER opt in know that help is available.
15 Housing Maintenance In order to improve conditions and standards in construction good
practice must be built on. This is why Unite is committed to ensure
Covid advice
that the HS2 rail project reaches the very highest employment
standards (page 16-17).
16 HS2 go ahead
The other lesson that the pandemic has taught us is that those
18 Hinkley apprentice employers prepared to work with Unite and who recognise
industrial agreements, invariably were far superior at maintaining
20 Rift Covid security and reducing the threat of transmitting Covid.
The simple message, that Unite sites are safer, has never been clearer
and it is why it is essential that we work together to increase the
21 CSCS card update union’s presence and ensure that companies recognise Unite and
adhere to the appropriate construction agreement.
22 Unite recommends
Finally, I would like to remind everyone that Wednesday 28 April
23 Unite membership form is International Workers’ Memorial Day. Given that we will still be
under severe restrictions due to the pandemic, this year’s IWMD
24 Workers Memorial Day will look somewhat different, yet it is absolutely essential that this
day is properly marked. Remember the dead, fight for the living.
Front cover picture: Getty Images
for advice during the coronavirus crisis Gail Cartmail, assistant general secretary
go to unitetheunion.org/coronavirus
Constructio
n, Allied
3 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021 Trades and
Technicians
Comprehensive
Construction Covid Guide
Unite has launched a fully comprehensive guide to failed to make the wearing of masks compulsory when
help prevent construction workers being exposed to social distancing can’t be maintained.
COVID-19.
Crucially the guide not only covers how workers need to
Since the pandemic began construction sites have protect themselves at work, including issues such as the
generally remained open and most construction workers importance of ventilation but also provides information
have continued to work. on how workers need to be able to socially distance when
travelling to and from sites.
Throughout the winter there were increased concerns
that during the poorer weather, infection rates of Another important section covers the mental health effects
construction workers have increased where social that COVID-19 has had on workers and recognises it has
distancing has become more difficult, which has also affected different workers in different ways.
coincided with the emergence of the new variant which is
more transmissible. The Construction Sector: COVID-19 Guide can be
found at https://unitetheunion.org/media/3530/212-
The Unite guide is far more comprehensive and stringent constructionsectorcovid19guide-2020-11-30-v02g-
then the industry’s Site Operating Procedures which have toc.pdf
Social distancing helmets
must not be linked to
disciplining workers hi-tech hard hats
will ensure social
Unite has warned that hi-tech hard hats that sound a warning distancing
when workers get too close and break social distancing rules,
must not be used to discipline or victimise workers.
Getty Images
Unite raised its concerns after the joint venture company
Eiffage Kier Ferrovial Bam, who are responsible for the central
section of phase one of the HS2 development purchased 1,500
of the helmets.
Getty Images
As a consequence Unite sought a meeting with the joint
venture company to receive reassurances the helmets were not
being used for disciplinary purposes and that workers’ personal
information was being protected. This is of a particular
concern as the helmets could potentially provide information
when workers were off site.
Unite national construction officer Jerry Swain said:
“Ensuring social distancing on site is absolutely vital to help
prevent the spread of COVID-19 and Unite welcomes the
introduction of these hard hats provided strict rules about how
the information they generate is followed.
“It would be entirely counterproductive if workers feared
being disciplined or dismissed if the alarm was triggered
particularly as it would be impossible to find out exactly which
worker had inadvertently strayed too close to someone else.”
4 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021
Unite will prevent NATIONAL
deskilling of
electricians
NEWS
Unite’s general secretary Len McCluskey As a result no one will be trained on
has committed the union to prevent all the defective standard.
plans to deskill the electrical trade.
No worker at Hinkley Point has been
Early in 2020 it emerged that the affected by the dispute as there are no
Engineering Construction Training electricians currently undertaking cable
Industry Board (ECITB) had designed and containment work, this work has
two new training standards, with not yet begun on the project.
the intention of utilising them when
training apprentices at Hinkley Point. Unite general secretary Len McCluskey
said: “Unite defeated the BESNA
The concern about the highly defective agreement then and we will defeat this
training standards, related to the latest attempt to deskill electricians.
training of workers on cable and
containment work, which is the bread “Our message to the industry
and butter work of electricians on such is clear. Unite and its electrical
new build projects. membership will oppose any and
all efforts to weaken the skill set of
The attempt to deskill electricians, the trade which will undermine the
had strong echoes of the Building industry by introducing non-skilled
Engineering Services National operatives.
Agreement (BESNA) dispute which
Getty Images
occurred in 2011/12. “Any deskilling of electricians
Unite will not allow the would result in a race to the
Unite officers became aware of the deskilling of electricians at bottom and would be highly
deskilling training standards at an early Hinkley Point or anywhere else damaging to industrial relations
stage and raised there concerns directly across the sector.”
with EDF the client at Hinkley Point.
Direct employment report
welcomed
Unite has given its backing to a new report which The report highlights that a lack of direct employment has
highlights the need to increase levels of direct employment a hugely negative effect on skills training, innovation and
in the electrical contracting sector in particular and the apprentice numbers. As well as undermining safety, industry
entire construction industry in general. regulations, productivity and it reduces tax receipts.
The report: Direct Employment a Study of Economic Business The report recommends that to increase direct
and Social Outcomes was written by professor Howard employment, clients and contractors have a responsibility
Gospel of King’s College London. to companies that employ workers directly, while the
The report found that direct employment levels in government must act to remove incentives for bogus self-
electrical contracting work in the UK had declined more employment from the tax system.
sharply than in any other country.
Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said:
Gospel found that the decline was due to specific actions “Rather than sweep the findings of this report under the
and decisions of clients and contractors and government carpet, clients, large contractors and the government need
policies, in areas of procurement, tax, social security and to accept its finding, adopt its recommendations and lobby
employment law. others to follow suit.”
5 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021
Open Cast Mining decision
results in job losses
A recent decision by Newcastle City on environmental grounds but by the requirement to restore the land
Council’s planning committee to rejecting the mine the environment is once the coal has been extracted.
reject permission for a new open cast not being protected.
coal mine at Dewley Hill, has resulted Unite national officer Jerry Swain
in the loss of around 130 jobs. Coal will still be required for said: “This is a deeply regrettable
industrial processes such as the decision which has resulted in
Banks Group had made the production of steel and cement. The members of Unite losing their jobs.
application but due to the refusal the demand will not change but what will
company has been forced to make 30 happen is that the coal will have to “This decision is not environmentally
workers redundant and a further 100 be imported from countries such as friendly and will just result in coal
jobs are expected to be lost in the Russia, Colombia and Australia. The being imported from overseas.
supply chain. level of pollution will be increased as
the coal has to be shipped to the UK. “This is a classic case of nimbyism
Banks Group fully recognises Unite which has resulted in the exporting of
and the union has a shop steward. The countries where the coal is jobs and the importing of pollution.”
The new open cast mine was rejected imported from have weaker laws on
Unite raises HS2 wage
abuses concerns
At the end of 2020 Unite discovered
that workers on HS2’s Old Oak
Getty Images
Common site in Ealing West London
were being systematically underpaid.
The Old Oak Common project is being
undertaken by a joint venture company
comprising Balfour Beatty – Vinci –
Systra (BBVS).
The problem concerned workers who
have been recruited to the project by
logistics contractor Munnelly.
Unite is dealing
The workers have been provided with wage concerns
with contracts which require them to at HS2
undertake 55 hours of work, before claimed that as Munnelly paid above
overtime rates are applicable. the London Living Wage and above employed by Munnelly at Old Oak
the minimum rates stated in the CIJC Common are treated fairly, we will use
However, under a framework agreement, than the overtime rules did all our influence politically, legally and
agreement between Unite, the TUC not apply. industrially to resolve this injustice.
and HS2, contractors are required
to follow the relevant construction Unite is putting pressure on HS2 “It is to be hoped that Balfour Beatty
industry agreement. to force its contractor to resolve the – Vinci – Systra (BBVS) realise that
matter, it will lodge a formal complaint workers need to be treated fairly and
In this case that is the Construction with the CIJC and is also considering receive the full benefits of the CIJC
Industry Joint Council (CIJC) agreement potential legal avenues. agreement and work with Unite to
which states that after a 39 hour week, ensure that these initial problems are
enhanced overtime rates should apply. Unite regional officer Paul Lomax quickly resolved.”
who is responsible for the Old
When Unite raised the issue with the Oak Common site said: “Unite is For more details on HS2 see page
joint venture company, it wrongly committed to ensure that our members 16-17
6 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021
REGIONAL
Dundee council
back down on NEWS
essential work
Unite secured a significant victory After receiving a negative
in late January after Dundee council response from the
agreed to re-categorise a large number management at Dundee
Getty Images
of work tasks as non-essential. council, Unite’s 300
members took part in a
Unite members at the council had consultative ballot which
become alarmed that despite the resulted in a 95 per cent
lockdown the council had continued vote in favour of taking
to expect them to undertake work that industrial action over the
they deemed as essential, but members matter. Unite has ensured that maintenance
believed wasn’t. workers in Dundee risk of catching
In response and following Covid has been greatly reduced
This included tasks such as repairing further negotiations the
extractor fans, covering graffiti, council re-categorised 22 tasks our members were genuinely fearful
renewing timber posts and replacing as non-essential, which means that about catching or transmitting the
light pendants. they won’t be undertaken during the virus to tenants, work colleagues or
current lockdown. A rota will also be family members while conducting non-
The membership also argued that if introduced for workers undertaking essential work.
genuine emergency work was required emergency work.
to be undertaken then there needed to For further information on the
be a limit to how many properties a Unite regional co-ordinating officer advice that Unite has issued to
worker should enter in a day, to reduce Dougie Maguire said: “This is a workers undertaking housing repairs
the risk of COVID-19 transmission. significant victory. The reality was that and maintenance see page 15.
Scunthorpe scaffolders
take strike action
Scaffolders employed by Brand Energy scaffolding contract at the end of no choice but to take strike action due
on the British Steel site in Scunthorpe February, when it transferred to Activo, to the refusal of Brand Energy to even
took 10 days of strike action in January with the workers being TUPEd, to the engage with Unite on pay.
and February in a dispute over pay. new company.
“There are clear pay rates for this type of
The dispute began in 2019 when Unite regional officer John McIntyre highly skilled work and Brand Energy
Unite first issued a claim that the said: Our members have been left with are deliberately undermining them.”
workers should be paid in line
with the National Agreement for
the Engineering Construction
Industry (NAECI), the appropriate
agreement for the work they are
undertaking.
Getty Images
There is a difference of £2 an hour
between the rates the workers are
receiving and the NAECI pay rate.
Brand Energy has refused to enter into
negotiations with Unite about the dispute.
The dispute was made more complex
as Brand Energy was due to lose the Scaffolders have taken
10 days of strike action
at the British Steel site
in Scunthorpe
7 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021
BWI demands justice for INTERNATIONAL
Cambodian construction
workers
The Building and Woodworkers Together with other interested
NEWS
International (BWI) has renewed parties they are demanding that the Biden takes
is demand for justice for the 36
Cambodian construction workers who
Cambodian government:
action on
Exact accountability from those
were killed when a building collapsed
in the town of Kep in 2020.
responsible workplace
Compensate families of victims Covid deaths
A year on from the tragedy there has Improve building construction safety
been no justice and no company has standards
been forced to take responsibility for Recognise and respect workers’
the disaster.
Getty Images
rights.
United States: Low paid workers
at greatest risk of Covid
Research by the University of California The research recommended that workers
has found that low paid workers in the at greatest risk of dying should be moved
state are at greatest risk of dying of up the list to receive the vaccine.
COVID-19.
The research identified that the
The research found that the following occupations with the highest death rates On his first day in office Joe
professions were at greatest risk of dying: shared the following characteristics, Biden began taking action to
Cooks, packaging machine operators, workers are generally low income, workers prevent workplace Covid deaths
agricultural workers, bakers and can’t work from home and are often forced
construction workers. to work in close proximity to co-workers. On his first day in office President Biden
issued an executive order requiring swift
Health and Safety a action to address workplace risks.
fundamental right Deaths and infections from COVID-19
in the USA are among the highest in the
Unions have secured an agreement at to ensure Covid security in the workplace world and this has been blamed on a lack
the International Labour Conference that which has focussed minds and ensured the of co-ordinated action by the previous
occupational health and safety should new fundamental right was agreed. administration.
be recognised as an International Labour
Organisation (ILO) fundamental right As part of the campaign the International As part of the executive order President
at work. TUC has agreed that on International Biden is ensuring increased enforcement,
Workers’ Memorial Day, workers should working with unions and consideration of
While millions of workers were denied even be campaigning around the theme that an emergency safety standard.
basic health and safety rights at work before health and safety protection at work must
the pandemic, it is COVID-19 and the need be recognised as a right for all. The Executive Order was welcomed by
unions. Richard Trumka the president
Japanese construction workers of the union federation AFL-CIO said:
“President Biden is clearly prioritising
in asbestos victory strong COVID-19 protections for working
people. We applaud this swift action which
Japan’s Supreme Court has ordered The case against the government and will save lives and protect workers who face
the government to pay more than £16 asbestos manufactures was first made dangerous conditions daily.
million in compensation to former two years ago. The Supreme Court
construction workers who developed lung rejected the government’s appeal in “Strong enforceable standards would
diseases after being exposed to asbestos. December and acknowledged the require employers to develop workplace
government also has a responsibility safety plans, implement science-based
The legal case was taken by around 350 to compensate self-employed protection measures, train workers and
workers including bereaved families. construction workers. report outbreaks.”
8 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021
PAY AND BARGAINING
Taxpayers’ money misused as Crossrail
rules ignored
Unite has raised serious concerns about how workers are
Getty Images
being employed on the heavily delayed Crossrail project.
Under the rules governing the project all construction
workers should be directly employed and paid according to
the relevant industrial construction agreement.
However, Unite has learned that the new Bond Street
station, principal contractor Engie and sub-contractor
NCCI are allowing bogusly self-employed electricians onto
the project and are making directly employed workers Unite has uncovered problems
redundant. at the new Bond Street station
As the project is tendered on a directly employed basis, Unite direct employment remain in place. It is now essential that
has questioned both Crossrail and Mayor of London Sadiq Crossrail takes decisive action to ensure its rules are upheld
Khan, about who is benefiting by contractors avoiding and this misuse of taxpayers’ money is immediately ended.
paying employers’ national insurance contributions, holiday
pay and sick pay for the bogusly self-employed workers. “It is highly disturbing that the direct employment rules
appear to be being ignored and it is essential to ascertain
Unite national officer for construction Jerry Swain said: if any company on Crossrail is boosting its profits by not
“Unite has had reassurances from Crossrail that the rules on employing workers correctly.
Pay Deal Progress in Aggregates Pay talks at Lafarageholcim Ltd have been adjourned in
order to allow the employer to return to the negotiating
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Unite national officer
table with an improved offer.
Ian Woodland has been able to make progress in securing
pay deals for workers.
Workers operating at Tarmac Cement and Lime have Cement workers
have secured a
Getty Images
accepted a pay increase of 2.75 per cent for 2021.
pay rise
Workers at Hanson’s have also accepted a pay increase.
Workers in Hanson’s quarry division have accepted a one per
cent pay increase for 2021.
Meanwhile the workers in Hanson’s cement and lime
division have also accepted a one per cent pay increase as
well as an improvement in their site bonus.
Pay rise for small site primarily used on smaller sites and by Users Federation (RUF) agreement
smaller operators. covers the workers who undertake the
workers maintenance of the brickwork in blast
Unite has a secured a 1.5 per cent The pay increase will come into effect furnaces, for example in steel works.
pay increase for workers covered in June this year.
by the Building and Allied Trade The workers received a 1.25 per cent
Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) Refractory workers increase which came into effect in
agreement. January 2021.
secure pay rise
The BATJIC agreement is negotiated Unite regional officer John McIntyre The accommodation/lodging
between Unite and the Federation has secured a pay increase for allowance will increase by 0.7 per cent
of Master Builders, the agreement is Refractory workers. The Refractory which is in line with inflation.
9 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021
HEALTH
THE HEALTH
CHAMPION There are few greater accolades then
to have your hard work and dedication
recognised by your peers.
Unite’s Paul Mooney achieved that
honour last year when he was awarded
the Scottish TUC’s Frank Maguire
award for his contribution to health
and safety. Mooney was nominated by
Unite Scotland, principally for his work
“taking mental health matters into
construction and helping to erase the
stigma about it”.
He is a joiner by trade and has been in
the industry for over 30 years. He has
been a trade unionist since joining as
an apprentice at 16. For the last nine
years he has worked for Multiplex and
is currently the lead Unite steward
on the University of Glasgow western
campus site, representing 600 workers
across all trades.
Mooney’s approach to challenging the
taboos in the industry about mental
health is straightforward: “We have
open days on mental health and get
people talking.
“We run a toolbox talk called ‘start the
conversation’ it is a 15 minutes talk to
try to get people to begin to open up
in the group. When they leave that
group we hope workers start to talk
to each other.
“It is having the time to say, to the guy
in the morning how are you feeling.
Sometimes the guy who works with
someone has a better idea of what is
wrong. It is about being there and
listening to each other.”
10 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021BY BARCKLEY SUMNER
Mooney believes there is a
clear link between gambling
and mental health issues.
Given the high levels of mental health
issues in construction what factors has
he identified that are causing problems.
Getty Images
“There are huge gambling issues in
construction. Alcohol is still there but it
effects a smaller minority but certainly
gambling is a big thing. Especially
Mooney has been attempting to “That is right across all levels of work. electronic gambling. People can go on
tackle the mental health challenges Some are very minor but others you their breaks and open up their phones
of construction workers on sites for a have to signpost people onto other and gamble.
decade. Does he believe that mental things such as counsellors.
health is becoming a bigger issue than “Gambling leads to a lot of relationships
previously? It is becoming increasingly apparent splitting up, gambling can be the root
that the Covid pandemic has greatly cause of a problem and it can escalate
“There is more awareness and people affected workers’ mental health, with into other factors as it moves on.
are opening up more than they used to. individuals being affected in many
It is probably not any worse than it ever different ways. “A lot of people don’t think that gambling
was but we are certainly seeing it as a lot affects their mental health. But if you talk
worse now. “People have got to adapt and some to people you find that it affects how they
people struggle to adapt. think and it affects their mood swings. If
“People are coming to us and admitting, they have just lost money their mood can
which is a horrible word, that there are “That could be working from home vary widely at work.”
issues. “Previously they would never from a management point of view. But
have discussed anything like this. It is from an operative point of view there is So what advice would Mooney give to
a step in the right direction.” a fear that they could be put back on other Unite activists who want to start
furlough, there are loads of redundancies to tackle mental health issues?
So what was the reason that Mooney first and a lot of workers fear they could be
started trying to tackle mental health taking the pandemic back into their “The best way to develop it is to take it
issues? own house from work. to the canteens. Get people to recognise
that mental health isn’t a taboo issue. It
“The suicide rates in construction “Covid is also a trigger that has brought is very hard and it has taken me a long
were getting higher and higher. A lot people to seek help. I have a case now time to get where I am.
of construction workers are under big which is not directly related to Covid
pressure if they don’t do certain things, but because of Covid the issue is “It hasn’t been an easy road. There are
they are threatened with their jobs. becoming apparent.” still a lot of people who have a very
negative view of mental health issues.
“It is about bringing the health back Mooney is keen to stress is that he is not
into health and safety. Health has got a a mental health professional. “But by opening it up and getting
big, big part to play in health and safety people not to hide from it, we make it
and that was getting side-tracked.” “I have never professed to be a a bit of fun.”
professional counsellor, through various
Given the work Mooney has been doing, training regimes we are more aware What is beyond doubt is that mental
how frequently do people contact him of people’s conditions and we help health issues aren’t going away for
about workplace mental health issues? signpost them in the right direction to construction workers and Unite
get professional help. will need to be at the forefront of
“I probably have at least one person challenging and resolving these issues.
a day talk to me. It might just be an “Sometimes people don’t need To do that it is essential that more
update, it might be someone asking for professional help they need someone to activists like Mooney step up to the
a bit of advice but I deal with mental talk to and empathise with them and plate and start tackling these challenges
health issues on a daily basis. help them to focus.” in the workplace.
11 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021WORK
CAN
AFFECT
YOUR
MENTAL
HEALTH
Speak to someone
before you unravel
www.uniteth
unitetheunion1 @unitetheunionDon’t
suffer in
silence
If you need someone to talk to and who is
who is willing to listen, contact your unite
rep or official.
alternatively, contact:
Mind www.mind.org.uk
0300 123 3393 or text 86463
Samaritans www.samaritans.org
116 123 (free calls)
CALM (campaign against living miserably)
www.thecalmzone.net/aboutcalm/whatiscalm/
0800 585858
theunion.org
@unitetheunion UnitetheunionDon’t miss out!
Get your buildingWORKER every quarter
buildingWORKER is the magazine Opting in to receive the Also by contacting the regional office
for all Unite construction workers. In buildingWORKER is quick and simple. you can update your address, notify
order to keep up to date with what is a change of employer and request
happening in your industry and your To recieve buildingWORKER for free, receiving free copies of uniteWORKS
union you need to opt in to receive four times a year. You just need to (Unite’s award winning magazine) and
future editions. contact your regional office by email, Landworker (the magazine for rural
phone or in writing. workers).
East Midlands Scotland
Tel: 0116 253 2020 Tel: 0141 404 5424
membership.eastmids@unitetheunion.org membership.scotland@unitetheunion.org
102 Bath Lane, Friars Mill, John Smith House,
Leicester LE3 5BJ 145-165 West Regent Street,
Glasgow G2 4RZ
IRELAND South East
Dublin Tel: 01753 313 820
Tel: 00 353 1 873 4577 membership.southeast@unitetheunion.org
membership.ireland@unitetheunion.org Unite House,
Unite House, 55/56 Middle Abbey Street, Chalvey Road East, Slough,
Dublin 1 D01 X002 Berks SL1 2LS
Republic of Ireland
Belfast
Tel: 02890 232381 South West
membership.ireland@unitetheunion.org Tel: 0117 923 0555
26-34 Antrim Road, membership.southwest@unitetheunion.org
Belfast BT15 2AA Tony Benn House,
Victoria Street,
Bristol BS1 6AY
London and Eastern
Tel: 020 8800 4281
membership.londoneastern@unitetheunion.org Wales
33-37 Moreland Street,
Tel: 02920 394 521
London EC1V 8BB
membership.wales@unitetheunion.org
1 Cathedral Road,
Cardiff CF11 9SD
North East, Yorkshire
and Humberside
Tel: 0113 236 4830 West Midlands
membership.northeastyorks@unitetheunion.org
Tel; 0121 553 6051
55 Call Lane,
membership.westmids@unitetheunion.org
Leeds LS1 7BW
Unit 2, Holt Court, Heneage Street,
Birmingham B7 4AX
North West
Tel: 0151 559 2004 GIBRALTAR
membership.northwest@unitetheunion.org Tel: +350 200 74 185
Jack Jones House, 2 Churchill Way, Unite House, 43-45 Town Range,
Liverpool L3 8EF GibraltarHOUSING BY STEPHEN JAMES
Protecting housing
maintenance workers
Following the announcement of the latest
lockdown in January, Unite was alarmed
that government advice allowed trades
people to continue work in people’s homes.
Unite believes this is dangerous and
risks the health of the worker and the
tenant(s) having work undertaken.
In response the union issued advice to
members undertaking construction
maintenance roles and has been working
with its reps to ensure that employers
accept the policy and fully implement it.
Getty Images
The bottom line is that if a property is Housing maintenance workers
occupied then only emergency work should only undertake
or essential maintenance should be emergency work during
performed. lockdowns and when people are
not allowed to mix indoors.
If a property is vacant (void) Unite
While most local authorities have
supports work being undertaken and in Rotherham. In all of these areas
restricted work to emergency repairs
provided rigorous risk assessments are Unite applied pressure to local councils
and void properties this health
embarked on and social distancing is to take action and protect workers.
conscious approach has not been so
fully maintained at all times.
widely repeated in outsourced housing
maintenance or housing associations. A fair better picture can be seen at
Additionally Unite is demanding: Fife council where John Gillespie
Workers must be supplied with all Clarion Housing one of the largest is the union’s senior steward. Strict
necessary PPE before undertaking housing associations in London, was rules were introduced ensuring that
work guilty of continuing to demand that only “essential maintenance” such as
workers undertake routine maintenance gas safe testing and emergency work
Unite representatives should be is undertaken in occupied properties.
of properties, despite some residents
consulted when developing a risk Routine maintenance can be undertaken
being Covid positive.
assessment and these should be on vacant properties provided “rigorous
shared with employees risk assessments are undertaken and
Members reported that they have been
All existing risk assessments and safe threatened with disciplinary action planned”.
systems of work should be reviewed when they refused to do work if tenants
and updated in light of the increased were unwilling or unable to maintain Gillespie recognises that a major
transmissibility of the new variant of social distancing. challenges is that the advice from
Covid-19 the Scottish government is “far more
Unite secured agreement that members woolly” than during the first lockdown,
Unite stewards and health and allowing unscrupulous employers
will not be disciplined if they refuse to
safety reps to be fully involved in all to force workers, lacking strong
undertake work due to safety concerns.
workplace safety discussions unionisation, to undertake potentially
An employee must be able to stop However, serious safety concerns dangerous work.
work if they believe their health remain, Unite officer Matt Freeman
and safety is at risk and should not said: “We believe the safest option is to If you believe that you are being
resume work until the problem is stop routine repairs.” placed in an unsafe situation you
resolved. This includes the right to should immediately contact your
decline work if social distancing is Similar problems have been identified Unite representative or regional
not being adhered to. in Portsmouth across much of Kent officer.
15 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021INFRASTRUTURE
HS2: A first class
Getty Images
Giant tunnelling machines will
be used to construct 32 miles of
tunnelling on phase one of HS2
This year construction work on the so that journey times to many other Initially construction will be
ambitious High Speed 2 (HS2) project cities including Glasgow, Newcastle concentrating on the major parts of
finally gets fully underway. and Liverpool are dramatically reduced. the projects, the tunnelling and the
stations, resulting in a rapid increase
There has already been a great deal of Phase one alone is expected to cost in the number of construction workers
enabling work undertaken but it is in between £38 billion and £45 billion. during the coming 12 months. At its
2021, that will see construction of this This year will see tunnelling work peak there will be 22,000 construction
massive project properly begin. getting underway, in total there will workers working on phase one.
be a massive 32 miles of tunnelling
HS2 is set to become the largest on phase one, including the Chiltern In order to attract such large numbers
construction project in Europe, Unite tunnel which is 10 miles long and 13 of workers it is imperative they are
believes it should not only be the miles of tunnelling in London. well treated and that victimisation
biggest but also the safest, the best paid and exploitation is prevented. This is a
and most productive. This can only be There will be a total of 500 bridges once in a generation project for which
achieved through partnership which built on phase one, which includes workers must be fairly rewarded.
will mean the client, contractors and what will be the UK’s longest viaduct.
unions working together. The approach of the HS2 line into Unite is keen to ensure that the mistakes
Birmingham will see the creation of the that have blighted Crossrail, resulting
Phase one of the project comprises Delta Junction. This 5.9 mile length in the mistreatment of workers, low
140 miles of high speed rail line built of track will comprise seven bridges productivity, increased costs and
between London and Birmingham. It and viaducts. There will be four new substantial delays, are avoided.
is due to be completed between 2029 stations on phase one: Curzon Street
and 2031, after which there are further in central Birmingham, Birmingham At an early stage Unite signed a
phases that will see HS2 directly Interchange, Old Oak Common at framework agreement with both
extended to Manchester and Leeds. In Ealing in west London which will link HS2 and the TUC, the agreement is
addition there will be work to integrate HS2 into Crossrail and a remodelled designed to ensure a level playing field
the existing network into the HS2 lines, London Euston station. on all employment contracts on the
16 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021BY BARCKLEY SUMNER
s development
project. The framework agreement sets receiving 28 days, A great deal of enabling work has already
out the minimum requirement for all when the industry been undertaken including at the Curzon
contractors, all workers on HS2 must agreement stipulated Street site in Birmingham
be directly employed with bogus self- 30 days of paid leave
employment and exploitative payroll a year.
companies banned.
The biggest problem
was that Bowercross
Key Unite officers failed to pay the
working on HS2 correct overtime rates,
Vince McCoy will be leading resulting in workers
being around £100
on construction work at
a week worse off.
Euston and in central London Unite also had the
vince.mccoy@unitetheunion.org added difficulty that
Paul Lomax is leading on Costain/Skanska
work in west and north supported these
abuses by refusing
London including Old Oak
appropriate access
Common paul.lomax@ to the site for union officers. What was He added: “I have been working with
unitetheunion.org especially disappointing was that HS2 EDF the client at Hinkley Point C who
appeared reluctant to enforce its own has ensured that its project is a beacon of
Stuart Baker is leading in the
framework agreement. However, Unite how we can move this industry forward
West Midlands in particular by working together. At HPC the
has since been working with HS2 and
in Birmingham stuart.baker@ client, the contractors and Unite have
the TUC to prevent similar problems.
unitetheunion.org created a highly paid, highly productive
Unite has already held meetings with and highly safe project. I would suggest
The terms and conditions of workers many of the contractors who have been all those involved in HS2 could do a
should be in line with the relevant awarded major contracts and is seeking lot worse than take a good look at how
construction industrial agreements and to implement agreements, based on the HPC operates.”
there is a requirement to engage and overall HS2 Framework Agreement
provide access to relevant unions. Unite ensuring workers are properly and fairly “Unite will be recruiting and
believes access must mean; a union treated. representing workers throughout the
officer can enter and use the canteen area HS2 project. It is imperative that all
while it is being used by workers and The majority of these meetings have construction workers on HS2 not only
discuss with them their concerns. been undertaken by national officer join Unite but join with us in helping
for construction Jerry Swain who to make it the highly paid, highly
The framework agreement is significant is leading for Unite on HS2. Swain productive and highly safe project it
as it should govern how work is is being ably assisted by a cohort of should be.”
undertaken but it is only relevant if it is regional officers who are responsible for
properly enforced by the client. different sections. If members already on HS2 have any
workplace issues they should immediately
Unite raised serious concerns regarding Jerry Swain said: “HS2 is an incredible contact their dedicated regional officer or
the enabling project at Euston where project which will provide employment their regional office.
the principal contractor a joint venture opportunities for many years. HS2
company of Costain/Skanska and should also seek to raise the bar on how HS2 Phase 1 the facts
their labour supply sub-contractor workers are treated and the pay they
Bowercross Construction systematically receive.” Completed between 2029-2031
ignored many aspects of the agreement. Cost between £38 billion - £45
“Unite is determined to ensure that
billion
Unite was successful in forcing the the industry learns from its previous
companies to pay the correct number of mistakes which have been fundamental 22,000 construction workers
holidays as workers were initially only to the delays experienced on Crossrail. employed on phase 1
Project will include 32 miles of
17 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021 tunnelling.APPRENTICES
Building
Getty Images
Hinkley Point is showing how
the decline in apprentices can
be reversed
Apprentices are the life blood of Before starting her apprenticeship last “There’s so much opportunity to learn,”
construction, without highly skilled new year in steel fixing at Hinckley, which is Stacey explained. “You don’t just learn
blood there is no industry. Yet for decades Europe’s largest construction site, Stacey the trade, you get your working at
the industry has been making a good had a full-fledged career in warehousing. heights ticket, your manual handling
impression of wishing to choke itself to ticket, you get your CSCS card, you’re
death, as it has consistently failed to train Several years ago, she completed a level 3 trained to use power tools and so much
anything like sufficient new starters. NVQ in management, which propelled more. It’s more than what meets the
her career as a warehouse manager for eye. There’s always more that you can
One place which has attempted to reverse a catering suppliers firm, while also progress to if you want.
the pitiful number of apprentices is the embracing her new role as mum. But
Hinkley Point C project in Somerset after seven years in warehousing, Stacey “I’m hopefully going to do both first
where for the first time in a generation wanted to try her talents elsewhere. aid and mental health first aid as well.
a new nuclear power station is being So it’s not just the fact that you’ll get an
built. Already over 700 apprentices, “I started to fall out of love with NVQ in Steel Fixing at the end of the
have begun courses at Hinkley and the warehousing, I couldn’t go any further. apprenticeship. There’s a lot of life skills
client EDF is targeting training 1,000 I was managing and I just wasn’t very you can get from it too.
apprentices (two thirds of whom live happy. A friend I went to school with
within a 90 minute commute of the site) who works at Hinckley shared an article Stacey’s hard work and can-do attitude
by the time the project is complete. about females in construction. I sent has earned her serious accolades after she
him a message asking if he thought it won the Hinckley Point C Rising Star
The traditional image of a construction was something I could be good at. And award in December.
apprentice is a male school or college he said, ‘I think you’d be brilliant’. He
leaver. Again Hinkley is trying to change sent me the link, and I applied for it, “I was quite emotional at the acceptance
that stereotype, 18 per cent of their and here I am!” ceremony,” she said. “I nearly broke
apprentices are women. down just because I was so shocked to
Stacey is due to finish her Level 2 NVQ win it. I got nominated by a guy on my
Unite member Stacey Sowden, 33, is Steel Fixing apprenticeship later this year platform and then I got invited to the
demonstrating– with a bit of hard work and said she couldn’t be happier with all ceremony at Hinckley Campus. I was
and determination, anyone can succeed. the skills she’s learned so far. fortunate enough to win the award and
18 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021BY HAJERA BLAGG
for our future
“Don’t be put out by the
who you are. And they are all perfectly As ever, Stacey continues to set her
stereotype that construction is achievable.” sights high, hoping to qualify and get
for men,” says Stacey Sowden her white hat this year. Looking to
Stacey also encourages those who might the future, she also wants to become a
since then I’ve received quite a lot of be a bit older than the average apprentice supervisor in her trade.
recognition. It’s just really nice to know to go for it.
that even though I’m slightly older than “At present, there are no female
the average apprentice, I can still work “It’s never too late,” she noted. “That’s supervisors who work in the trade. There
hard and that hard work pays off.” what I said to myself – it’s never too late are women supervisors in other areas, but
to make a change. But you can’t expect there are no women out on the ground.
Stacey urges others who might be that change to be handed to you on a That would be my target – to be one of
thinking of taking on an apprenticeship platter. You’ve got to go out and get it, the first female supervisors, if not the first
to not let stereotypes hold them back. and you’ve got to work hard, whether female supervisor, actually out on the
that’s in construction or accounting or tools in a skilled trade environment.”
“Don’t be put off by the stereotype any other field.
that construction is for men,” she said. Whatever their goals may be, Stacey urges
“Yes, stereotypically it is more of a male “Obviously the older you are the would-be apprentices to join a union.
environment but if you work hard, it harder it is to get up in the morning
doesn’t matter who you are or where and things like that. You might have “That sense of togetherness is so
you’re from, you can achieve the same children or other obligations that you important,” she said “If you have a
standards. I think that’s an important might not have had when you were problem, there’s always somebody who’s
message for any female who wants to get younger.” got your back. It’s just nice to know that
into construction. you’ve got a support network if there are
Stacey, a mother of two five-year-old questions that you don’t have the answers
“Sometimes you may even have to twins and a nine-year-old daughter, to, if there are situations where you’ll
work a little bit harder than the men. added. “But you find a way to make it need some assistance, say if you’re pay is
Other times, your knowledge and your work – especially if that is your choice, not right. If you’re in the union, all of us
expertise can help someone else out. But if it’s something you’re passionate are together fighting for the same thing.
the opportunities are there – no matter about doing.” You’re never on your own.”
19 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021FINANCIAL ADVICE BY ROBERT PARKER
RIFT Resolutions: Getting
Financially Fit for 2021
Getty Images
Using cash and not plastic
helps to ensure that you know
how much you are spending
Does anyone still bother with New Year’s resolutions? Haven’t we You don’t even have to dump every penny into your debts to
all got enough on our plates? make a real difference. Use a chunk to bring down what you
owe and spend or save the rest. Remember this when your tax
If you’re looking to make a real impact on your financial fitness, refund comes in.
though, there are a few resolutions it really pays to respect. These
simple commitments can slim down those nagging debts while Beware of ‘must have buys’
you pack on the pounds in your wallet. Shopping smart is as much about biding your time as choosing
your seller. Check reviews, compare prices and make sure that an
Know your limits unmissable offer is as good as it seems. Not every deal is the ‘real
Figuring out what you can reliably and regularly put aside is deal’, after all.
really effective at cutting your financial problems down. Even
just saving £50 a month can be a serious boost to your finances Don’t ditch your pension
over time. Setting a reasonable target is half the battle; the rest It can be tempting to opt out of a workplace pension, but it’s
is keeping your spending under control. An automatic monthly almost certainly a mistake. Those pension contributions you’re
bank transfer to your savings account can help keep your plans on making are worth a lot of tax relief, for one thing. Beyond that,
the rails. There are even mobile apps that can handle this kind of you’ll also be missing out on the contributions your employer
thing for you. makes. Being in a pension scheme is an easy way to invest in your
financial health. It’s handled automatically for you and it really
Taking an interest mounts up over the years.
If you find yourself leaning heavily on a credit card to get by, keep
your debts on whichever card offers the best deal – and be prepared Settle up with the taxman
to swap. It means a little homework, but the alternative could be a Whatever other resolutions you make, break or forget altogether
lot more damaging. Wherever possible, stick to cash over plastic. in the coming year, always claim back the tax you’re owed by
It’s all about being realistic, and working in cash means you always HMRC. Average refunds in the building game can come to
know what your spending is really costing you. thousands of pounds. Get in touch with RIFT, get your claim
rolling and get back what is yours in 2021.
Spend in one hand, save in the other...
...and see which piles up higher. Interest on your debts almost
always rises faster than on your savings. When you have a little Contact RIFT Legal Services: 01908 516016 or
extra cash on your hands, paying your debts down is usually a visit: https://www.riftlegalservices.co.uk/
better bet than saving it. The maths don’t lie.
20 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021SKILLS CARDS
CSCS cards take
the online leap
Most people in construction are familiar
Mark Thomas
with the Construction Skills Certification
Scheme (CSCS) cards. It’s the card that
provides proof that individuals working
on construction sites have the appropriate
training and qualifications for the job
they do on site.
Following the introduction of an online
application service last year, CSCS has
now announced the launch of a new
virtual card and app.
Alan O’Neile, head of communications
at CSCS said: “A virtual CSCS card is
the same as a plastic CSCS card but
stored within the My CSCS app on a
mobile phone or tablet, rather than in a
construction worker’s wallet or pocket.
“Virtual cards benefit the cardholder and
their employer by providing both with
instant access to the individual’s training The new My CSCS app will
and qualification records and eliminating make it quicker and easier
the need to carry a physical card on site.” to apply for and receive your
CSCS card
Virtual cards also cut the delivery time
of a CSCS card from a few days to just a check that workers hold the appropriate include enabling card holders to manage
few moments. While a traditional plastic qualifications and training for the job their personal details and the ability
card takes a few days to process and they do on site.” to get in touch with CSCS’s Customer
deliver, a virtual card can be downloaded Service team.
to the My CSCS app as soon as an CSCS is keen to highlight to employers
application is approved, and payment that virtual cards are safe and secure but, The My CSCS app is available 24 hours
taken. The virtual card can then be used just like the traditional plastic card, they a day, seven days a week, providing card
immediately on site before the plastic should always be electronically checked holders with access to the information
card has arrived in the post. using the free Go Smart software. This is they need when they need it.
to ensure the card is valid and to confirm
Similar ideas already exist in other aspects that the holder has the appropriate Both the My CSCS app and the virtual
of life; you can board a plane using a training and qualifications for the job card are free to download and free to use,
virtual boarding pass or make a payment they are doing on site. the cost of a CSCS card remains at £36.
using a virtual, contactless version of
your bank card. The virtual card is stored in the My CSCS If you wish to apply for a card, CSCS
app which is available on Android and recommends using the online service.
Alan O’Neile continued: “Virtual cards Apple devices via Google Play and the Applying online is more convenient and
are the next logical step in modernising Apple Store. quicker than applying over the telephone.
the CSCS service. Virtual cards will Visit www.cscs.uk.com/mycscs to find
improve safety and efficiency on As well as storing the virtual card, the My out more about virtual cards and the My
construction sites by making it easier to CSCS app has many other benefits that CSCS app.
21 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021uniteRecommends
This page is a counterpoint to the mainstream media and
reviews important pieces of work for Unite members.
Books Radio
Why We Sleep The Archers Radio 4
by Matthew Walker
Readers of buildingWorker may
Matthew Walker is a professor at wonder if I’ve lost my senses in
Harvard and is an expert on sleep. writing a review of The Archers.
What he doesn’t know about Yet the programme has a public
how and why we sleep and how service tradition. A recent and
it affects our brains isn’t worth highly compelling story line
knowing. involved modern slavery.
Why We Sleep is essential
The programme’s producer The scandal of Modern Day
reading for all trade unionists worked closely with the advocacy Slavery has hit Ambridge
team from Hope for Justice drawing
His book Why We Sleep should be from their experience supporting victims.
a compulsory text for all union
activists in any sector where workers undertake long The ‘Ambridge’ slave master is builder Philip Moss, a
hours or shift work. mild mannered, middle aged bird-watcher. The slaves are
three British vulnerable young men with learning or mental
In short a lack of sleep means that we can’t concentrate health disabilities. Blake, Jordon and Kenzie were homeless
at work and are far more likely to make mistakes or have when Moss seized the opportunity to enslave them.
accidents.
Referred to by the dehumanising term “the horses” Moss
In one memorable section Walker argues that driving when sold the men on to another trafficker, in Blake’s case for £20
suffering the effects of sleep deprivation is more dangerous as “damaged goods” following a workplace accident.
than drink driving (not as though he is advocating the
latter). When drunk your responses are slowed, while if you According to the Global Slavery Index there are up to
experience a micro sleep you have no control whatsoever. 136,000 modern slaves in the UK hidden in plain sight.
The book further describes how a lack of sleep impacts on
both our physical and mental health. The Archer’s producer is honing in on the Ambridge clients
who benefited from ‘mate’s rates’ and charitable pro-bono
In truth there is nothing in the book which most people did work. Most are anguished by their complicity yet my guess
not already, know or suspect. The strength of the book is is we all know of undercutters and some of us are all too
that it explains exactly how and why a lack of sleep impacts aware of those with a fondness for suspiciously cut-price
on our health from a scientific basis. Such information labour.
should be invaluable when arguing about excessive hours
and oppressive shifts in the workplace. Moss will be brought to justice as a slave master, yet from
my own home I see ‘home improvements’ undertaken
Why We Sleep should be required reading in tackling ill with no regard to safety by workers who by birth and
health and long hours in the workplace. employment status are almost certain to be vulnerable.
Barckley Sumner We all have a responsibility not to turn a blind eye whether
within our own communities or at site level.
Your Recommendations Concerns about modern slavery should be reported to a
Unite members are encouraged to send ideas for future specialist helpline on 0800 121 700.
recommendations. We will cover film, television, DVDs
and books. The only stipulation is a recommendation needs
to be easily available. If you would like to write your own Gail Cartmail
reviews please do but keep your contributions to 250 words.
Send recommendations and reviews to barckley.sumner@
unitetheunion.org
22 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Spring 2021You can also read
