Unite takes on the union-busters

Unite has vowed to tackle and stamp out attempts by contractor NG Bailey to union bust on the Mensa project at the Aldermaston Weapons establishment, in Berkshire.

Problems began on the project late last Friday when five workers, including four members of Unite, one of whom was a health and safety representative, were informed that they had to leave the site immediately. No reason for this removal has been provided. There then followed a walkout of the workforce on Monday  in support of the affected workers.

Following the intervention of Unite, the five affected workers were transferred to other projects. NG Bailey, however, has refused to provide the reasons for the removal of the workers and has blamed the principal contractor Costain and the client AWE for that decision. There remains a great deal of unrest among the Unite membership on the project.

In order to ensure that such similar problems are avoided in the future, Unite is demanding:

an agreement on a procedure for dealing with similar situations where workers are made aware of the charges against them and can answer theman apology from the project team to the five affected workers, a proper investigation and re-instatement onto the projecta guarantee that removal of security passes on this project does not prevent future employment through blacklisting by the client or contractorfull compensation for the loss of earnings of those taking part in action to defend their work colleagues

Both NG Bailey and Costain are proven blacklisters.

Unite regional officer Malcolm Bonnett said:“Unite is committed to stamping out this clear attempt at union busting on the AWE project. Enormous credit must be given to the workforce for standing up for their fellow workers, which has forced the employer to ensure that the affected workers were given alternative employment.

“It is simply unjust that workers have been removed from the project without warning or a reason given, this must not be allowed to ever re-occur. If NG Bailey do not agree to Unite’s demands then there is set to be further discontent on the project and a collapse in morale, which will affect productivity.”

Article from Union News

By Tim Lezard

25th September 2021 - 8:00 am

http://www.union-news.co.uk/unite-takes-on-the-union-busters/

NG Bailey M&E Walkout at AWE Burghfield

M&E Workers Walkout

Over 200 NG Bailey Sparks and Fitters walked off site at AWE Burghfield today (20/09) over suspected Blacklisting and Union busting. The row started on Friday afternoon, when workers were selected for transfer without notice, they had been told by their employer that it was AWE who had requested their removal. 

Anger spread through the workforce over the weekend at the treatment of their colleagues, especially as those selected are all Union members, with one being an elected union site safety rep. The workers held a meeting earlier today and sought answers through the management. 

One worker who has chosen to remain anonymous has told us: 

“AWE could and have removed access to site for workers in the past, we’ve only known it with an investigation and appeals process though, this feels very different” 

The NG Baileys workforce requested their reps ask for proof that AWE had made this decision. They were later informed it was Costain that had made the decision, who along with NG Baileys, had previously subscribed to the consulting association Blacklist. 

Seeing this as misinformation with no satisfactory answers coming, they walked off site this afternoon, requesting proof off their employer that Costains had in fact chosen the employees to be removed from the project, whilst still starting new workers on the project today. 

The firm responded with what workers saw as a lockout threat while also sending official statements saying they would dock any workers taking part in an agreed meeting on site in the morning. 

Updates to follow