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From The Socialist newspaper, 16 September 2009
Construction workers' pay - reject the deal!
Following widespread unofficial strike actions earlier this year, engineering construction workers in the Unite and GMB trade unions at seven major industrial sites have been balloted over the review of national (NAECI) terms and conditions for 2010.
It is reported that they voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action against the employers' refusal to offer any pay-rise. However, trade union officials are expected to recommend acceptance of a revised offer to the NAECI shop stewards meeting that takes place in Manchester on 17 September.
Whilst details of this offer have not been released, it is widely believed to be a two-year deal of 2% in 2010 followed by an inflation-linked rise in 2011 with a minimum of 1%. The threat of official strike action has forced the employers to drop their original plans to attack conditions like the tea-break, and make concessions on the audit process, transparency and a skills register which could all increase job security. However there is a lack of detail and workers at Lindsey Oil Refinery in June saw how the bosses will renege on deals.
With major construction projects coming up and a big yes vote in the official ballot, NAECI workers are in powerful position to win further improvements in job security, pay and conditions, so the Socialist Party urges rejection of the deal and that the stewards forum make plans for national industrial action.
Alistair Tice
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
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- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
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In The Socialist 16 September 2009:
Big business to blame for climate change
No Job Cuts
No to cuts in jobs and services
Capitalist market prescribes diet of cuts
TUC conference - reactions to Brown's speech
TUC conference: Fightback rally
War and occupation
Socialist Party workplace news
Nationalise Anglesey Aluminium to save jobs
Rover - Gangster capitalists were treated as saviours
London RMT: Discussing an election coalition
Leeds council workers on indefinite strike
Construction workers' pay - reject the deal!
The fight against the building blacklist
Socialist Students
College workers strike against vicious cuts
Vestas
Vestas: the fight is far from over
Coventry Socialist Party councillors show support for Vestas
Socialist Party feature
Interview with POA leader Brian Caton
Socialist Party women
Victory - Decent jobs not exploitation
Socialist Party review
International socialist news and analysis
Japan: Election ends Liberal Democrats' 54-year reign
Bangladesh: Angry protests at police attacks
Sri Lanka: Defiant Tamil protest
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