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The Socialist 11 February 2009 |
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Welcome to the JIB!
Steve Acheson, blacklisted electrician, and a member of Unite, distributed this leaflet at the construction engineering shop stewards' meeting on 9 February. He wanted to show what happens if union-negotiated agreements are undermined.
Welcome to the JIB [Joint Industry Board for electrical contracting].
Where the only chance of employment is through an employment agency, because companies refuse to advertise available jobs. Where the unskilled outnumber the skilled, where the main contractor sub-contracts work to maybe 10-15 agencies, like Balfour at the Manchester Royal Infirmary site.
Where you will most likely be on a bogus tax scheme through a satellite office of that agency. An industry where the second tier payment is non-existent, because a multi-million pound hospital is deemed no different from a two-bedroom terrace house. An industry where a union poll reveals 42+ unskilled operatives being utilised to carry out skilled work (Whiston Hospital), and where on the same site the company selects the shop representative.
Supervisors can be holiday [tour company] reps, debt collectors, window cleaners, etc. Imagine no site meeting (Terminal 5), no holiday pay for any workers not on PAYE. Where travel expenses are worse than 20 years ago.
An industry where victimisation through blacklisting against union reps is rife. Where wholesale mass sackings of workforces takes place - 200 at Norwich hospital and 240 at Pfizers.
Imagine if the above scenario becomes the norm throughout the construction industry. For the past eight weeks I have been outside the gates of Fiddler's Ferry power station demanding reinstatement, since my unfair selection for false redundancy by Alstom as they tear up the Blue Book agreement.
The above scenario is one we cannot accept, the employers seek not only the end of the Blue Book agreement, but the ultimate in smashing the unions. We must respond accordingly, we must FIGHT!
In this issue
 Bankers' bonuses - daylight robbery!
Vendetta continues against socialist fighter
JCB owner - still shovelling in the cash
Construction workers
Lindsey oil refinery strike: Workers score important victory
Construction workers' battle to defend jobs and conditions
Welcome to the JIB!
Motherwell Bridge bosses declare war on striking workers
Stop GSK job cuts
Socialist Party youth and students
Defend youth services
College students - keen to fight back
Save Charlotte Turner school!
Socialist Party campaigns
Tyneside Metro: Workers' action to stop privatisation
Carbon trading crisis creates bonanza for polluting firms
Exeter: Mobilising to stop the far right
Fast news
Car workers
Fight for jobs at Ford
Car industry in crisis - national meeting
Socialist Party workplace news
Wirral cuts: We need a new party
Victory for Salford Unison
Defend jobs at Salford University
Usdaw presidential election
Protest against the Unison witch-hunt
Greenwich council: An injury to one is an injury to all
International socialist news and analysis
Nationalise Waterford Crystal!
United Socialist Party members remanded on trumped-up charges
Socialist Party review
Slumdog Millionaire
Football
Reclaim the game
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