Hundreds walk out at Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station

Over 600 construction workers walked out of Radcliffe on Soar power station this morning in protest against the suspension of Unite health and safety rep Jason Poulter.

Those walking out included electricians, pipe fitters, scaffolders and welders. Later today the night-shift workers are also going to refuse to work.

The walkout was planned by a recent national meeting of rank and file sparks, and was supported by members of the National Shop Stewards Network and the Socialist Party. Also at the protest was expelled Ucatt member Mick Dooley.

Jason was suspended by management six weeks ago for carrying out his health and safety trade union duties, an action that workers believe was taken in revenge for their success in defeating the Building Engineering Services National Agreement (Besna) which would have reduced pay and attacked terms and conditions.

Workers are warning management of the company Spie WHS that unless Jason is reinstated, this will just be the start of the action.

Rob Williams, NSSN chair

Sellafield:

The Press Association reports that more than 1,000 construction workers also staged an unofficial walkout from the Sellafield nuclear site today.

They left the site in Cumbria over plans to make a union shop steward and two health and safety representatives redundant.

The workers, employed by contractors Mitie, are involved in a number of building, maintenance and security programmes at Sellafield.


Ratcliffe update, 12.6.12:

Following the above protest and walkout at Ratcliffe power station the safety rep on site has since been reinstated.

Unite Construction Rank & File (Siteworker) wrote: “This shows the power of the Rank and File and solidarity shown by the lads on site”.