Sparks call for strikes to fight off boss attack

The sparks were protesting outside building privateer NG Bailey town hall site in Manchester as part of an ongoing union campaign against industry employers' plans to cut wages by a third and undermine agreed terms and conditions.

Bosses want to replace the Joint Industry Board (JIB) agreement with the worse Building Engineering Services National Agreement (Besna), which union officials warn will cut wages by a third.

The Manchester workers said they wanted to take the fight onto construction sites - mirroring recent shutdowns at Ratcliffe power station.

Unite union lay rep Jason Poulter, who works at Ratcliffe, told the Star: "We've had tailbacks stretching back for miles because of our blockades.

"Last week police even threatened drivers who talked to us. They allowed them to take a leaflet but they were told if they stopped to speak to us, they would get a £60 fine and three points on their licence for 'blocking the highway'.

"The campaign is still strong particularly in the north and Scotland. We have to see it through."

But Kevin Holmes, also a Radcliffe power plant worker and rep, expressed concerns that the fightback was not as widespread as it should be because "the majority of the lads are frightened, frightened of being targeted by the employer and thrown off the job.

"They must be, otherwise they'd be out now."

But remaining upbeat ahead of the meeting in Middlesbrough today, Mr Holmes was confident workers could fight off the inferior Besna contract.

Blacklisted worker and Manchester Unite construction branch secretary Steve Acheson said: "The number one priority is beating Besna and we will because we are relentless."

But he said that current national JIB agreement was being undermined by all construction companies. "Rule 17 of the agreement states that every effort will be made to offer direct employment for how ever long a job takes.

"At the Carrington site just down the road, out of 100 workers, 90 are agency workers."

johnm@peoples-press.com