Thousands of construction workers have walked out unofficially at the massive Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant against bullying management. As we go to press, they are still out.
It has been estimated that there are 12,000 workers on the site, organised by Unite and the GMB, and it is reported that anything from 2,000 to 4,000 workers are involved in this dispute, reportedly at MEH Alliance – bringing together Altrad Services, Cavendish, Balfour Beatty, NG Bailey and Altrad Babcock.
In 2016, Balfour Beatty were one of eight construction companies forced to pay compensation to blacklisted workers after an heroic campaign. They and NG Bailey were prominent in the attempt to bring in the BESNA contract in 2011 that would have resulted in huge pay cuts for construction electricians, organised in Unite. It was defeated by a six-month struggle fronted by the ‘Sparks’ rank and file workers, which led to official strike action being called.
The workers walked out on Wednesday 9 July, and it has been reported that a manager has been suspended, pending an investigation. Construction workers have told us that they feel vindicated, and therefore are demanding that the pay they’ve lost through the action that they felt forced to take be reimbursed. They are determined to fight on to get this money back.
Since posting this article, the dispute has been resolved. This action shows that workers can push back management. We send the workers our support and solidarity.
