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From The Socialist newspaper, 31 May 2019
Sienmens Lincoln protest 28.6.19, photo by Keith Gibson (Click to enlarge)
Construction workers protest in defence of union rights and against anti-worker EU
Keith Gibson and Janet Gibson, Hull Socialist Party
70 steel construction workers from Humberside and Yorkshire gathered outside Siemans' Turbine Factory, in Waterside, Lincoln on 28 June, to protest in defence of their trade union-agreed 'national agreement for the engineering construction industry' (NAECI).
Siemans will be the major contractor responsible for overseeing the subcontractor companies who will build the new 'combined-cycle gas turbine' at Keadby power station near Scunthorpe. The Keadby project will be a NAECI site, so why the protest?
The Lindsey oil refinery strikes in 2009 (see 'When militant action stopped the race to the bottom' at socialistparty.org.uk) successfully placed overseas steel construction workers under the protection of NAECI which guarantees national pay rates, terms and conditions.
The Lindsey strike also secured a new section of NAECI enforcing a 'contractual' right to equal opportunities.
Yet ten years on, these workers are still having to monitor, protest or strike against construction companies who utilise the EU's 'posted workers' directive' under the guise of 'freedom of movement' to employ overseas workers on the cheap.
This in turn has seen construction bosses breach the equal opportunity rights of UK construction workers. Little wonder the majority of steel construction workers understand the need to leave the EU bosses' club!
I addressed the protest, as a member of the Socialist Party and GMB union, voicing construction workers' anger at breaches in equal opportunities, against blacklisting, the circumventing of NAECI and the need for democratic accountability of trade union officials.
I proposed that the next step should be to lobby parliament in defence of NAECI against the EU's posted workers' directive. This was put to the vote and overwhelmingly passed.
I outlined the need for a workers' socialist Brexit and explained the need for international worker solidarity against construction companies attempting to override NAECI and workers' rights.
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In The Socialist 31 May 2019:
Workplace news
Angry Usdaw members strike at Sainsbury's distribution centre over sick pay cut
Sick of your boss? Join a union! Fight for socialism
Construction workers protest in defence of union rights and against anti-worker EU
Socialists in PCS union launch new group to fight general secretary election
Steps forward and missed opportunities at Unite rules conference
London Arriva bus drivers vote for strike action over bullying and workload
Birmingham school strike for safe working environment
Lancashire Stagecoach drivers continue their fight
Birmingham uni workers strike against terms and conditions attacks
What we think
Sinister moves against Corbyn can be beaten by clear socialist policies
News
Same old millionaire Tories - Fight to kick them out
Nationalisation is answer to Southern Water cover up
Gig-economy exploitation doubles
Even social-care bosses say cuts have gone too far
Stonewall riots
Stonewall riots' legacy shows need for socialist struggle to win LGBT+ liberation
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Socialist Party secures new offices
Angry Barking residents protest outside sales office
Tamil Solidarity Day: Linking up oppressed people's struggles
Coventry says no to congestion charge
Carlisle Labour/Lib Dem coalition cuts care home beds
Sell the Socialist and take out an e-subscription
Lincoln Uni NUS disaffiliation: a question of on-campus democracy
Stourbridge: Keep our college!
International socialist news and analysis
New opportunity to build working-class fightback after voters punish Erdogan
Irish health workers' anger boils over into strike action
Opinion
TV: Years and Years - Engaging family drama pushes confused, reactionary message
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