Hugh Caffrey
Manchester electricians protesting on 31.8.11 as part of protests around the country against the employers’ assault on pay and conditions, pho (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
Manchester electricians fighting the new Besna contracts because of pay cuts and deskilling, are appealing for a huge turnout on Wednesday 1 February from 7am at the town hall/central library site.
Main contractors NG Bailey and Laing O’Rourke are now manning-up the site, and the city council, which is the client, will meet on the same day.
Bailey’s sites across Britain will see protests on the same day, as the Rank and File hold a week of action against this company.
Baileys is very pro-Besna and, in many workers eyes, played an instrumental role in blacklisting construction workers for their trade union membership and activities.
Laing O’Rourke is seen as another blacklister. Why are the Labour council still paying these anti-worker companies to carry out public work? Why should council tax payers in the city be paying for Mancunians in the construction trades to be victimised?
Manchester sparks asked the councillors these questions before Christmas. An “investigation” was promised but unsurprisingly nothing appears to have been done.
The city council is holding a full meeting from 10am on 1 February and sparks will be demanding answers at this meeting.
All electricians, construction workers, trade unionists and supporters should be there. The site protest starts 7am at the Peter Street site entrance opposite the Midland Hotel, and will move to the town hall later to see the councillors, and then go into the meeting around 10am.
Whether you can attend for all or just part of the protest, ensure you’re there to show your support and make your voice heard!
