Derek Simpson to lead march for fair access to jobs at
Staythorpe
23rd February 2009
Unite’s joint general secretary, Derek Simpson, will lead a
march (see notes) of hundreds of unemployed construction workers
tomorrow (Tuesday, 24th) calling for fair access to jobs for
unemployed construction workers being refused work at Staythorpe
power station.
Alstom has been contracted by RWE to build the Staythorpe power
station, a gas-fired power station near Newark. Two companies,
Montpressa and FMM, have been subcontracted to carry out
construction work on the site. These two non-UK contracting
companies say they have no intention of employing any local labour
to undertake the work.
Unite estimates that 600 jobs will be needed to build the power
station's turbine and boiler (Montpressa will fit the turbine and
FMM will fit the boiler), and another 250 to build the pipe
connecting the two. None of these jobs will go to UK workers.
Unite’s joint general secretary, Derek Simpson, said: “The
government must act now to level the playing field for UK workers.
We need action which compels companies applying for contracts on
public infrastructure projects to sign up to corporate social
responsibility agreements which commit to fair access for UK
Labour.
“The UK needs to upgrade and build new power stations and there
are huge opportunities to create thousands of well paid and highly
skilled jobs. It will be a disgrace if UK workers are not even
allowed to apply for jobs to build British power stations.
“There are still employers who are excluding UK workers from
even applying for work on construction projects. No European worker
should be barred from applying for a British job and absolutely no
British worker should be barred from applying for a British
job.”
At the Isle of Grain, two sub-contractors, Remak and ZRE, have
also refused to consider applications for work from UK-based
labour. Unite estimates that the two sub-contractors will require
450 workers over the lifetime of the project. Alstom has been
contracted by E.ON to build the power station.
Unite is calling on the government to insist that companies
applying for contracts on public infrastructure projects sign up to
corporate social responsibility agreements committing contractors
to fair access for UK labour.
ENDS
For further information or to arrange an interview with Derek
Simpson, Unite joint general secretary, please contact Richard
O'Brien on 07768 931 320 or Karen Viquerat on 07768 931 316.
Notes to editors:
Date: Tuesday, 24th February, 2009
Time: Assemble at 10.30am. March commences at 11.00am.
Assembly point: Great North Road, Lorry Park, Newark, Notts NG24
1BY
Workers will march from the lorry park to Butter Market for a
rally.
Route: March out of car park onto Great North Road heading
toward Newark and down to roundabout. Turn left onto Bar Gate and
right onto Kirk Gate. Follow the road and take next right into
Middle Gate and left into Stodman Street to end the march in Butter
Market for speakers.
Media interviews in lorry park at 10.30 am and in Butter Market
after rally. Press can park in Butter Market. Coaches can park free
in Great North Lorry Park. Cars can park next to lorry park in pay
and display.
Demonstrations will also take place outside Grain power station
in Kent between 6.30am and 9.30am
Grain Power Station, Isle of Grain, Rochester, Kent ME3 0AF
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