7th December was supposed to be the 1st day of
action in the electricians dispute following the magnificent Balfour
Beatty ballot result 81% in favour of industrial action.
Shamefully Unite the union capitulated and have
decided to re-ballot after the threat of an injunction by BB. It was
claimed by BB that 25 office workers (unite members) were not balloted.
This small number wouldn't have made any difference to the result. The
result will not now be known until 6th January.
But it's not only the Arab Spring that knows
how to use facebook, twitter and text messaging. The rank n file rose to
the occasion on 7th December. It was the biggest nationally coordinated
unofficial strike seen in any industry for many years. Thousands of
workers were involved. There were protests and picketlines at a number
of BB sites in Scotland, Grangemouth, Glasgow, Wales, Cardiff,
Humberside, Manchester, Liverpool, London where there were running
battles with the police.
A 500 strong picket was put on at Blackfriars,
Bob Crow spoke as well as many other trade union reps, John McDonnel MP,
members of Unite EC also spoke many thanks to all. Also a protest was
held at BB HQ in Victoria and a protest at Grattes site in Victoria ,
some bright spark set off fire alarms stopping production for 2 hours
when the workers refused to go back in through our spontaneous
picket-line. A meeting was held in the street with site workers to
convince them to join us maybe they will next time.
In Scotland Camblasang fire station site
offices were occupied , and a protest at BB HQ , Grangemouth was out in
support. liverpool , teeside , hull , cardiff , all had protests and
pickets on large sites. Manchester protested outside the town hall and
protestors got into the council meeting a labour council demanding that
Laing O'Rourke and NG Bailey are removed from the project as they are
blacklisters. Labour MPs have agreed to meet rnf committee members to
discuss this soon. The whole day was a brilliant success and was rounded
off with a picket on Blackfriars nightshift no sparks worked there at
all that day and there was support from scaffolders and cable pullers
who refused to cross the picket lines.
The days event shows the enormous power and
potential of the rank n file when they pull together. This dispute may
go on for many months yet as the rogue 7 dig there heels in. We must
continue the weekly protests and maintain the numbers , and push unite
to make it an official strike in construction in new year , whatever
happens the rank n file have transformed the construction sector of
unite in the last 4 months, we should get involved with official union
not to would be a mistake, use our rank n file power to get onto sector
committees and jib bodies, put motions through our branches and make it
union policy.
Fight the blacklist, expose any collusion unite
would like to brush this under the carpet. There are 100s of
blacklisted sparks experienced stewards who cannot get work in
construction, Unite should challenge employers who are still
blacklisting and site workers must demand and help these workers to get
onto sites .
We mustn't give a penny to the bosses we have
lost enough over the last 10 years enough is enough. No cuts no changes
to jib agreement no sell outs! .The NAIECI agreement is also under
attack this is another area to be organised by the rank n file JIB
workers can assist each other.
Make no mistake if the sparks and pipefitters agreements are smashed other trades will be targeted next.
Stand firm , educate , agitate , organise !
Victory to construction workers!
Thanks to support from all the different political groups involved and unite members , and other trade unionists and MPs.
PLEASE DONATE TO OUR FIGHTING FUND CHEQUES PAYABLE TO:
JOINT SITES COMMITTEE
70 DARNAY RISE
CHELMSFORD
ESSEX
CM1 4XA
many thanks and gratitude for kind donations received so far
By Alan Keys
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To contact the Rank n File Committee: siteworkers@virginmedia.com
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