Fiddlers Ferry protest continues

Blacklisted electricians and members of the Warrington trades council joined victimised Unite member Steve Acheson outside Fiddlers Ferry power station on 21 August.

Steve was unfairly selected for redundancy from the project to build a desulphurisation plant at the power station in November 2008 ahead of 20 others. Indeed 40 had already been selected under the criteria agreed with the union.

Steve has mounted an early morning protest at the gate every Monday and Friday ever since.

The unfair selection for redundancy may be linked to the construction blacklist recently exposed by the Information Commissioner (see The Socialist 11 March 2009 http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/7034)

The case is causing disquiet for many Unite members in the north-west who are asking themselves how Britain's "biggest and most powerful union" can leave a victimised member standing on the gate in limbo for months on end.

All he needs is a definite conclusion to the internal procedure - win, lose or out of time - because then he can go to an Employment Tribunal, and in all probability win his case.

Further information email warringtontuc@live.co.uk

Andy Ford, Warrington trades council delegate