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INSIDE: Suicide prevention Heart health Pensions
Winter 2020 The magazine for construction sector members
buildingWORKER Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
UNITE
tackling the
challenges
Unite fighting for Unite apprentice Unite tackling
workers’ rights award winner mental health
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2 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Autumn 2019
ES/7143/12-15
Winter 2020 The magazine for Unite
construction sector members
buildingWORKER Dear Colleagues,
I want to begin by wishing all
Contents
construction workers a happy
New Year.
By the time you receive this
members are likely to be
3 Gail Cartmail, assistant coping with the challenges
general secretary, editorial faced by the winter months,
with bad weather and the
4 National news lack of daylight making work
challenging.
6 Regional news This year we also have the additional headache created by a
very disappointing general election result to contend with.
8 Pay and bargaining update Clearly the Conservative government has no interest in
tackling the challenges that our industry faces such as bogus
self-employment, a lack of apprenticeships, and a short term
9 International news hire and fire culture, to name but three.
10 Suicide prevention advice It is why it is vitally important that we redouble our efforts to
ensure that all the sections that comprise Unite construction
sector from workers in new build construction, housing
12 Anti-suicide poster maintenance workers, highway operatives, building materials
workers and those in open cast coal mining, are properly
Construction workers have represented and new members recruited.
a high risk of suicide In the last three years since we became one single
Make sure your friends construction union, there has been a huge number of new
and workmates are OK
members join our union. Although it needs to be recognised,
Don’t be afraid to ask how
someone really is that with companies collapsing and workers frequently
A short conversation could
moving jobs and even leaving the industry, growth is not
save someone’s life always straightforward.
For more information go to
www.zerosuicidealliance.com/
It is why it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that we
recruit as many members as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask
unitetheunion1
www.unitetheunion.org
@unitetheunion @unitetheunion Unitetheunion
your fellow colleagues to join, the worse they can say is no.
The stronger Unite is in your workplace, the higher the level
of pay, the better the conditions and the safer the site.
14 Skanska campaign
Increasing our membership puts us in a far stronger position,
15 Construction workers’ pensions to challenge employers to improve their practices nationally,
to seek improvements to our national agreements and to
lobby the government (however unfriendly) to bring in
16 Heart health policies which will improve the working lives of construction
workers.
18 Sector conference report
The trade union movement was built on collectivism and
20 RIFT financial advice unity and those merits will continue to underpin our success,
who ever you voted for Unite your union will be standing up
for you wherever you work and live”?
21 Legal update
22 Unite recommends
Gail Cartmail,
23 Membership form assistant general secretary
Back cover: buildingWORKER opt in
Constructio
n, Allied
Trades and
3 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020 Technician
s
Anti-choking dust
campaign launched
Unite has given its backing to a new campaign launched by tiles, concrete and materials. Construction workers are
health and safety activists Hazards, the magazine for health particularly at risk of being exposed to high levels of silica.
and safety activists, to halve the legally permissible exposure The campaign is in the form of an online postcard campaign
level to silica dust. Which could save 40,000 lives a year. which are sent to Sarah Albon the new chief executive of
the Health and Safety Executive
The campaign titled Construction workers are and can be found at http://www.
‘choked’ argues that the at particular risk of being hazardscampaign.org.uk/silica.
current legal exposure limit exposed to silica
of 0.1 mg/m3 should be at As there is a long latency period
Mark Thomas
least halved to 0.05 mg/ between being exposed to silica
m3. The current legal level and developing a potentially
in the UK is double the fatal disease. Unite has launched
limit in the United States a silica register which can
and many other european be found at https://www.
countries have a lower unitelegalservices.org/services/
exposure limit. silica-dust.
Over 600,000 workers are Workers who are exposed
regularly exposed to silica to silica should record their
at work which is created exposure. If they then develop a
when cutting, grinding and silica-related illness later in life,
drilling substances such as the register will assist in helping
rocks and sand. Silica is a the worker make a claim for
major constituent in bricks, damages.
Unite calls for action to
preserve nuclear skills
Following news that the Hinkley Point facilities in Cumbria
C development of a new nuclear power and Anglesey.
station will cost an additional £2.9
billion, Unite has called for urgent The only new nuclear
reforms and the government to learn power station in the
the lessons of the challenges faced pipeline is Sizewell Hydrock
by the client EDF in developing the C. Unite believes it is
project. essential that there is
no delay between the
The government needs to radically completion of Hinkley
revise the laissez-faire policy of simply and Sizewell beginning
hoping that private companies will to ensure that specialist
come forward and build incredibly skills are not lost.
complicated strategic infrastructure
projects. This is simply not an adequate Unite assistant Government must learn
strategy to keep the lights on. general secretary lessons from Hinkley
Gail Cartmail said: “The challenges Point development
The government’s failure to involve faced by EDF demonstrate why the
itself in the planning of nuclear government must introduce a proactive with the private sector to develop
power stations has resulted in private industrial strategy which will allow future infrastructure projects that are
companies pulling out of building new the government to work in partnership desperately needed.”
4 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020
HS2 anti-union NATIONAL
busting campaign
stepped up
NEWS
Unite has stepped up its campaign has been made and as a result
to end union busting on the HS2 protests have been stepped up.
development.
A major demonstration was
Since the beginning of the year Unite held at the Euston site in
has been in dispute with the Costain October. There were sufficient
and Skanska Joint Venture (CSJV) at numbers of protesters to close
Euston station as the union has been all the gates at the site, which
barred from the normal practice of caused considerable disruption.
speaking to workers in workplace
canteens during their breaks. The action at Euston was Unite has stepped up its anti-
followed up by protests at union busting campaign on HS2
The union busting activities of CSJV, the HS2 headquarters in
has occurred despite the relevant central Birmingham and the of union busting and HS2 has acted as
unions signing a framework agreement Costain headquarters in Maidenhead, their conduit.
with the client HS2, which sought to Berkshire. A further large demo was
ensure good industrial relations. held at Euston in November. “Unite is not seeking special favours
it is simply looking to ensure that
Despite negotiations continuing Unite national officer Jerry Swain normal practices are applied on all
throughout the summer no progress said “Costain and Skanska are guilty HS2 sites”.
Construction injuries rise New report
reveals asbestos
and prosecutions fall failings
Unite has raised concerns that The increase in injuries and decrease A report by the think tank ResPublica
construction injuries have risen for the in prosecutions risks reversing the has found that children in the UK are
first time in five years. steady progress in construction legally allowed to be exposed to 10
safety. In 2018/19 construction times as much asbestos, then in other
The number of non-fatal construction fatalities fell to a record low for the European countries such as France and
injuries per 100,000 rose from 359 in industry of 30. Germany.
2017/18 to 366 in 2018/19.
Unite national officer Jerry Swain said: Research has found that 94 per cent
During the same timeframe there “These figures are deeply worrying. of NHS buildings and 80 per cent of
was also a 22 per cent decrease in the While of course we welcome that the schools contain asbestos.
number of construction prosecutions number of deaths has decreased, this
being undertaken by the Health and has to be tempered with the fact that The report called for a phased removal
Safety Executive (HSE) which fell from construction injuries have gone up. of asbestos from public buildings, for
202 to an all time low of just 158. UK asbestos regulations to be brought
“The increase in up to the strictest european standards
injuries is likely to and for a registry of public buildings
in part be a result of that contain asbestos.
employers failing to
Kleon3
comply with safety Unite national officer for local
laws.” authorities Jim Kennedy said: “This
report is a damning indictment of the
Workers need to be extra government’s utter disregard of the
vigilant as accidents very real risks asbestos poses not just
increase on sites to hundreds of thousands of public
sector workers, but children, patients
and the millions of other people who
use public buildings.”
5 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020
Unite sponsors
apprentice
awards
Unite was the principal sponsor region Karen Reay said: “Unite
for Leeds college’s annual Building has long been a champion of
Industry Greats (BIG) awards, construction apprentices.
which celebrates and recognises the
achievements of apprentices in the “By sponsoring the BIG
construction industry. awards Unite is in a small way
demonstrating our commitment
Notable winners at this year’s awards to young people
held in the autumn included Unite seeking to enter Unite official officials Mark Martin (left)
member Erneliana Daniel, who was the construction and Karl Stephenson (right) with Erneliana
awarded the prestigious Governor’s industry.” Daniel (centre) who was awarded the
award. Unite regional secretary for the governor’s apprentice award
North East, Yorkshire and Humber
Glasgow addresses period poverty
Unite members at Glasgow City products if they require them. management to ensure that sanitary
Building, which undertakes In a separate initiative City Building products should be made freely
maintenance and repair work on the has also introduced a system to supply available to all our female staff if
city’s social housing, have ensured that apprentices with free condoms. Every needed. This is a simple case of human
management have introduced systems year City Building recruits a large dignity.
to ensure that female staff members do number of apprentices including
not experience period poverty. female apprentices. “The free condoms help to ensure safe
sex and that our apprentices take a
The organisation’s female staff Unite convenor Darren Burrows responsible attitude to sex.”
members can now access sanitary said: “Unite negotiated with
Crossrail Bond Street health fears
Unite has been at the forefront of quality testing at the site and Unite has been
reassuring worried construction workers the result showed that there was tackling union busting
following a series of unexpected nothing untoward. and concerns about
deaths at the Crossrail Bond Street safety at Bond Street
development being built by the Costain However, the union’s efforts
and Skanska Joint Venture (CSJV). were hampered by the attitude
of the CSJV management which
Four workers have died in their sleep upbraided Unite regional officer
while working at the site last year, Guy Langston for failing to jump
including two in close proximity to through the necessary huge number
each other in the autumn. of hoops that had been set up for
union officials visiting the site.
As a consequence concerns were raised
that there was a problem with the CSJV initially implied that Mr
quality of the air on the project. Langston would also not be allowed to However, once Unite publicised this
be present when the independent air latest example of union busting by
In order to reassure the workers Unite quality monitoring results were made CSJV, they were forced to relent and
helped to organise independent air known. allow Mr Langston to attend.
6 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020
Glasgow Multiplex REGIONAL
tackling mental ill
health
NEWS
As part of last years World Mental about how everyone can play
Health day on Thursday 10 October, a role in improving workplace
Unite convenor Paul Mooney helped mental health.
to organise an event to highlight
mental health at the Multiplex Such events are particularly
development at Glasgow University. important as construction
workers admit they suffer
Mental health first aiders were on from high levels of mental ill
hand to give advice and assistance at health and some construction
the event which was held in the site’s professions have suicide rates
canteen. three times the national Workers at the Multiplex site
average. at Glasgow University received
Multiplex supplied breakfast rolls, teas information and advice on World
and coffees and workers were supplied • Suicide preventation article on Mental Health Day
with information and given talks page 10-11
Colchester memorial for
construction worker held
Colchester Trades Council held a The memorial anniversary Members of Mr Vanbergh’s family
memorial meeting in October to coincided with the beginning of were also present.
make the 25 anniversary of the death European Health and Safety Week
of Dutch construction worker Joop in October. Mr Langston said: “Each and every
Vanbergh. construction death should be marked
Speakers at the event included Kitty and remembered. Twenty five years
Mr Vanbergh was killed while Jong the vice president of Dutch after Joop Vanbergh was killed his
building the Hythe Bridge bypass in construction union FNV and Unite family still feel that loss.”
the town. regional officer Guy Langston.
Assurances given on Lincolnshire
power station jobs
Unite has secured assurances that secured the contract to build the has its own supply of highly skilled
local workers will be used in a boiler and indicated they would use and hard working trades people, so
high profile power station in north Spanish labour. there is no reason why they shouldn’t
Lincolnshire. be used.
Following negotiations held by Unite
A protest was held at the Keadby site regional official John McIntyre, “At present, there is no reason to
near Scunthorpe in November which agreement was secured that local believe that the pledges we have
is being built by Seimens on behalf of labour will be used on the site and a received from Seimens and Babcock
energy firm SSE, as there were fears recruitment process was imminent. Montajes will not be honoured.
that an agreement to recruit local
labour was being flouted. John McIntyre said: “Unite has “Should the situation change,
secured assurances that the promises however, Unite will do everything
The fears about local labour arose to use local labour on the Keadby 2 in its power to ensure these
after Spanish firm Babcock Montajes project will be kept. The local area commitments are upheld.”
7 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020
PAY AND BARGAINING
Craftworkers waiting for rates are above those covered in the A two hour reduction in the
agreement. working week
pay claim response
A pay claim has been submitted for A comprehensive joint national
For workers who are paid on the
construction maintenance workers review of the workplace causes of
existing red book rates the claim
employed in local authorities and stress and mental ill health
demands that these rates are
covered by the “red book” agreement. benchmarked and paid in line with the A significant increase in tool
average pay rates for local authority allowance and insurance payments
In response to the real terms pay craft workers.
A commitment to the continuation
cut of 22 per cent that workers on
of the red book agreement.
the agreement have suffered in the The claim is also seeking:
last decade, the claim is for a 10
An additional one day increase in The employers have delayed giving a
per cent increase for all workers
annual leave formal response to the pay claim until
covered by the agreement, whose pay
the new year.
Salford housing This deal was especially attractive to resolution will herald a new era of
the workers on the legacy contracts as better employment relations with
maintenance workers they maintain a final salary pension the royal borough of Greenwich
secure pay deal scheme, sick pay of six months full pay management.”
and six months half pay and
33 days of holiday. Negotiations set for 2020
The coming year will be a key time
Greenwich for Unite’s industrial agreements, with
housing workers pay and conditions negotiations set for
strike resolved many agreements. This includes the
National Agreement for Engineering
Over 120 housing repair Construction Industry (NAECI),
workers at Greenwich the Joint Industry Board (JIB) for
council suspended strike electricians, the civils agreement the
action in October following CIJC and the heating and ventilation
last ditch negotiations. agreement (HVCA/BEIS).
Salford housing workers
agreed a pay deal The dispute was about a For the first time Unite’s pay and
new pay structure, which conditions claims will also address
would have resulted in the workforce mental health concerns. The already
Over 100 workers employed by facing a serious loss of pay. tabled NAECI claim includes a call for
Liberty Group on the Forviva housing
mental health awareness training for
contract on Salford council housing, As part of the agreement which was Unite reps.
have secured a three year pay deal and led by Unite regional officer Onay
preserved their terms and conditions. Kasab, any
The workers overwhelmingly voted for reduction in pay
industrial action in the dispute over will be minimised,
pay and conditions. pay protection will
be introduced and
Following the vote Unite regional no changes will be
officer Colin Carr, returned to the implemented while
negotiating table. talks continue.
The talks will also
jhamez84
Management then offered a three include bringing
year pay deal of pay increases tied to back more council
the consumer price index (CPI) and work in-house.
the guarantee that workers on legacy
contracts would preserve their terms Solidarity in Greenwich
Onay Kasab said:
and conditions. has preserved pay rates
We hope this
8 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020
Unions key to INTERNATIONAL
ending kafala NEWS
system in Qatar
recently agreed that the kafala will come into effect. When a ruling is
system, which bound migrant made by the labour dispute resolution
construction workers to their committee, the unpaid wages will
employer and prevented them be paid from the funds and then the
leaving the country without the money will be later secured from the
employer’s permission will no employer, ensuring workers are paid
Isles Yacht Club
longer apply. more quickly.
In future, workers covered by The BWI, with support from Unite,
tai-mab
the labour code will no longer has been undertaking extensive work
require an exit permit to leave and support in Qatar for many years,
Trade unions are significantly the country. since the high death rates and the
improving working conditions shocking conditions that migrant
in Qatar In a further positive advance, a Labour workers were enduring in the country
dispute resolution committee has emerged.
The Building and Woodworkers been established which will examine
International (BWI) , the global employment issues and should Through the BWI’s actions site safety
federation of construction unions, provide a response within three weeks. has improved, living conditions have
has secured a significant victory in However as the BWI is aware this got better and some rudimentary
its battle for trade union rights and will still result in backlogs, it is also workers’ committees have been
decent treatment of construction seeking the establishment of a ‘quick established in a country where trade
workers in Qatar. justice’ system to ensure these matters unions are still in theory illegal.
are dealt with promptly.
As part of the BWI’s lobbying, Trade unions are significantly
which is linked to Qatar hosting the As a further positive from early 2019 , improving working conditions in
2022 football World Cup, it was a workers’ support and insurance fund Qatar.
Unite assists in Paris Olympics
Unite has been assisting sister unions in The presentation highlighted Unite’s Unite’s
France prepare for the Paris Olympics approach to industrial relations, presentation was
in 2024 to ensure that workers are which included the need for direct part of a wider
fairly treated and that lessons learned employment, health and safety and Building and
from the London Games in 2012 are protection for migrant workers. Woodworkers
not lost. International
Partly as a result of the positive role initiative to ensure
Last autumn Unite development officer played by the unions the London that workers
Steve Craig made a presentation to the Olympics were the safest on record. building the
French construction unions. facilities for mega
Steve Craig said: “Unite’s presentation sporting events
The presentation focused on the drew on our experience and lessons (World Cups,
joint working between UK unions we have learnt during the London Olympics etc) are
and the Olympic Delivery Authority Olympics. Unite’s approach will help well paid with
Adri45an
(ODA) which led to the signing of inform the approach of the French proper union
the memorandum of understanding unions and provided demonstrable recognition.
and other agreements which framed evidence of the ‘added value’ unions
the industrial relations on the London bring to the development of global Unite is providing assistance
games. mega sporting events.” to ensure that workers on the
forthcoming Paris Olympics
are well treated
9 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020
SUICIDE PREVENTION BY R
Tackling suic
Have you ever wondered what the only around a third of suicides have had
biggest cause of death in men is? contact with mental health services in
the year before their death.
It’s not heart disease, cancer or even
road traffic accidents, but suicide - over Suicide is a hidden concern, as over
6,000 people took their own life last half of people who die by suicide are
year and 75 per cent were male. unknown to health services. There is a
need to educate people into identifying
Men under 50 are particularly the signs and signpost of those at risk to Talking about feelings is
vulnerable and if they work in the appropriate services. difficult but it may save
construction industry they are three someone’s life
times more likely to die from suicide To achieve this there is a need for a
than the average male in the UK. cultural change, and we need to get
By asking someone how they are it
people talking again about how they
gives that person permission to talk
So why is this happening? are feeling – never more so than in
about how they are feeling
industries like construction which is
It’s an industry dominated by men, shift male dominated and often populated by Asking someone about suicide will
work and working away from home and those in middle age. not make them think, or act on it.
perhaps the culture is not to discuss In general terms they have already
emotions. Getting people to talk to contemplated that, but having a
friend expressing concern may be
How many times have you met a friend each other the thing that shows people do care
or workmate and asked, or been asked: The Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) and life is worth living.
“Alright mate, haven’t seen you for believes a key part of tackling this
ages, how are you doing?” problem is getting everyone to talk to The best teams in sport communicate
each other. They believe: during the match (their working day) to
Usually the reply is: “I’m fine” know where they are and what’s going
As work colleagues you generally
What if the answer was: “Mate, on around them.
have a better understanding of how
I’m feeling really down. My wife is
the pressures of the job can affect
constantly on at me to get these jobs Are you able to ‘SEE’ the signs your
you, and the people you work with
done in the house, and I’m absolutely mate is giving out?
shattered. I just can’t cope with it any In the skilled labour industry the
more and I just need a way out.” rates of suicide are high due to the Do you understand what he’s trying to
pressures of the job, but also the free ‘SAY’ and can you ‘SIGNPOST’ that
Would you know what to access to the means via materials, pass to bring him the greatest glory in
heavy machinery or high open areas. winning the game?
say?
Suicide is often seen as a problem that Talking about suicide is difficult, but Or do you think that pass (conversation)
affects only people with mental health here’s some guidance to approaching is too difficult to make and you let him
problems, specifically depression. Yet that conversation: run alone and offside?
10 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020ROB MIGUEL, NATIONAL HEALTH BY A SuBY STEVE MESSENGER, CLINICAL LEAD, ZERO SUICIDE ALLIANCE
cide on sites
Talking and listening to
what people say can reveal
if they have a problem
What are the signs? Allow for periods of silence, it You could support them in either
maybe that the person is gathering of these options by attending
Seeing the signs that someone is
their thoughts and helping to explain what is
potentially becoming a greater risk of
happening.
suicide, can be obvious, like: Don’t judge that person’s thoughts,
feelings or emotions
Turning up for work late, regularly If the person has a plan then the
Try to avoid asking questions with a concern does become greater and you
Being off sick, on more occasions
‘Yes/No’ answer will need to alert professional staff.
than before
You will need to direct the person to
Clarify you have understood what’s
Not getting involved in the banter the local accident and emergency A&E
been said, but don’t interrupt.
department and accompanying them
Isolating themselves from the group.
will ensure professional help is delivered
How can you help? appropriately, and the professionals
Just because some, or all, of these signs
If you do find time to talk, and there are understand what is happening.
are present it doesn’t mean that person
is suicidal. There may be other things issues raised that cause concern, there
are things you can still do that could Not everyone will be suicidal, even
going on in their life that you don’t
help that person, such as: if they do show some of the signs
know about, unless you ask.
mentioned above, but having that talk
Asking if they have a plan will
may contribute to their safety.
If you do notice any of these or other indicate how serious the likelihood
behaviours that may be considered of suicide is
You may never know that you have
unusual, there are a few things you
If there is no plan for how they saved someone’s life, but it’s far better
could do:
intend to take their life and they just not to know if you did, than to not
Find a good time and place to talk, have had thoughts you can signpost know them ever again.
like in the van or on a tea break them to local support
Try not to talk about yourself For further information go to is https://
This could by getting them to
www.zerosuicidealliance.com/
contact their GP for an appointment
11 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020Construction
a high risk of
www.uniteth
unitetheunion1 @unitetheunionworkers have
suicide
Make sure your friends
and workmates are OK
Don’t be afraid to ask how
someone really is
A short conversation could
save someone’s life
For more information go to
www.zerosuicidealliance.com/
heunion.org
@unitetheunion UnitetheunionMULTINATIONALS BY STEPHEN JAMES
Skanska’s tainted
heart
Skanska is one of the best known names The charge sheet
in the UK construction industry. against Skanska in
the UK is very long.
The multinational, company whose It was discovered in
headquarters are in Sweden presents 2009 that Skanska
itself as a progressive, green and ethical was a leading member
company. of the Consulting
Association, which
Skanska’s mission statement claims blacklisted over 3,000
that its standards are based on United construction workers.
Nations (UN) Declaration of Human
Rights, the conventions of the UN’s It was later discovered Skanska is guilty of union
International Labour Organisation that Skanska was
busting on its HS2 site at
(ILO) and the UN’s Guiding Principles making more
on Business and Human Rights. blacklisting checks than any other
Euston in London
blacklister and between 1996 and 2009
Skanska claims: “We are proud of the company spent £216,000 on ruining concerns including: wages, undeclared
the ethical business practices that we the lives of construction workers. (illegal) labour and health and safety
have established …We cannot accept after several deaths on its sites.
unethical behaviour.” Skanska claimed that it had learnt
its lesson and cleaned up its act but a This followed earlier protests by
leopard does not easily change its spots. the International Union of Painters
On the Crossrail project it has become and Allied Trades of North America
increasingly evident that at the very (IUPAT), who protested over £2 million
least Skanska was guilty of extreme in unpaid wages.
vetting to prevent trade unionists who
had raised legitimate safety concerns The union delegation included members
from being re-employed on the project. of Byggnads the Swedish construction
union. The delegation who had a copy
While currently on HS2 Skanska of Skanska’s BWI framework agreement
together with the joint venture partner with them, were initially granted access
Costain are guilty of union busting. to the site before them being forced to
Members of the They are defying clear agreements made leave. The union delegation were locked
international delegation by HS2 to allow union’s access to their out and the workforce locked in.
who sought access to site at Euston.
Further investigations revealed that
Skanska’s Nashville site
It is not just in the UK that Skanska is while Skanska were happy to allow
guilty of poor behaviour. undocumented workers on its site to
As part of its shiny exterior Skanska, work, if one of these workers experienced
signed a global framework agreement Skanska is a major player in the United a workplace accident, the company then
with the Building and Woodworkers States and the construction unions there washed their hands of them and refused
International (BWI), which should are stepping up their campaign against to even pay their medical expenses.
ensure fair treatment of workers and Skanska.
recognition of unions around the world. Going forward Unite is looking
However, like many of Skanska’s Last autumn a delegation of to expand the co-ordinated global
commitments, outside of its native international trade unionists visited campaign, especially in Sweden to put
Sweden, what the company says and Skanska’s Fifth and Broadway project pressure on Skanska to abide by its own
what it does are entirely different. in Nashville Tennessee, to investigate rules.
14 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020PENSIONS BY BARCKLEY SUMNER
BUILDERS LET DOWN
ON PENSIONS
One of the major failings of the Even worse many self-employed can legally delay a worker paying into
construction industry is after a lifetime construction workers and particularly a pension scheme for the first three
of physical work, many construction those who have been paid cash in hand months of employment.
workers are left in poverty in retirement or had spells working abroad may
due to a lack of a pension. have holes in their national insurance With many engagements being short,
contributions (NICS), which could this means it is simply not worth opting
Like many problems in construction it affect their entitlement to a state into a scheme as once contributions start
is one the industry has failed to resolve. pension. You currently need to have to be made the worker moves jobs and
made NICS for 35 years in order to the whole qualifying period is restarted.
Which is why Unite welcomed the receive the full state pension. Unite assistant general secretary Gail
introduction of the auto-enrolment Cartmail said: “These figures show the
pensions regime. A further problem with take up affects government’s auto enrolment pension
workers who are forced to work under policies are failing construction workers.
For the first time, unless a worker an umbrella company. One of the Resulting in hundreds of thousands
chooses to ‘opt out’ they were obliged perversities of an umbrella company is facing poverty in retirement.
to have a workplace pension and their that for national insurance purposes the
employer had to make set contributions. worker is treated as both the employer “Rather than tackle the factors which
and the employee. make it difficult or impossible for
However like most things in construction workers to save for a
construction the solution to construction The same applies to auto-enrolment. A pension, successive Conservative
worker poverty in retirement, has not worker signed up to auto-enrolment has governments ignored the problem.
been easily resolved. to pay eight per cent of their eligible
earnings (five per cent employees “Until rampant casualisation and bogus
Figures obtained by Unite, from a contributions and three per cent self-employment are tackled, workers
Freedom of Information request to the employers contributions). Given the other are not going to be eligible or prepared
Department of Work and Pensions, has excessive deductions they face, pension to register for a workplace pension.”
revealed that just 23 per cent of blue contributions become unaffordable to
collar construction workers are paying many umbrella company victims. Construction workers
into a workplace pension.
are facing many
The final problem is that under the
obstacles in saving for
There are 1.5 million construction auto-enrolment rules an employer
workers in manual trades and just retirement
349,000 are paying into a pension.
Getty Images
While, the number of workers making
pension contributions has increased
the vast majority are still making no
provision for their retirement.
The reasons for the poor take up is
clear. The auto-enrolment regime only
applies to workers, the self-employed
are excluded.
With rampant bogus self-employment,
these workers are instantly denied
access to auto-enrolment and yet again
employers’ evade their responsibilities.
15 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020HEALTHTMENT
Looking after
TEN TIPS FOR A
HEALTHY HEART
FIND OUT YOUR
1 HEART AGE
The British Heart Foundation
(BHF) have partnered with NHS
Choices to help you find out your heart
age, so help you understand your risk
of having a heart attack or stroke. This
tool works if you’re over 40, and will
give you an idea of your heart health
and what you can do to improve it. We
would recommend that anyone over 40
attends an NHS Health Check at their
GP. For the best advice on how to look
after your heart visit.
https://tinyurl.com/vuzczpg
Getty Images
KNOW YOUR BLOOD Your heart health is
2 PRESSURE in your own hands
High blood pressure is known
as the ‘silent killer’ – although it work away from home, or have long KNOW YOUR FAMILY
doesn’t have many symptoms, it causes commutes which leave you feeling 6 HISTORY
thousands of heart attacks and strokes exhausted. Loneliness can encourage A family history of heart disease
every year. It’s a good idea to know your unhealthy habits like eating fast food and stroke can put you at greater risk
blood pressure level, so speak to your and smoking, all which contribute to of developing these conditions. Many
GP or pharmacy, who should be able to heart disease and stroke risk. If you’re people who go to hospital with heart
measure it and offer advice. feeling lonely or isolated, your GP attack and stroke, say they never
can help. It might help to join a local thought they were at risk despite
STOP SMOKING community group or volunteer in your having close relatives affected by the
3 Our hearts and blood vessels are free time. conditions. If you have a family history
the hidden victims of smoking. of heart and circulatory diseases, speak
Stopping smoking is the single best KEEP CALM to your GP. If these conditions run in
thing you can do for your heart health. 5 Feeling stressed all the time can your family, it’s even more important
If you want to quit, get in touch with put you at greater risk of a heart that you lead a healthy lifestyle to lower
local stop smoking services. They’ll attack. Stress makes you more likely your risk of heart disease.
provide support and advice, boosting to turn to unhealthy habits which make
your chances of success. You can also ask you feel better in the short term, such KNOW THE SYMPTOMS
your doctor or pharmacist about nicotine as smoking, eating food that’s high 7 OF A HEART ATTACK
replacement therapy (NRT) or medicines in fat and sugar, drinking alcohol and Some people who have a heart
that can help you quit. E-cigarettes can avoiding exercise. If you suffer with attack say it came out of the blue.
be also be used in the short term, as a stress, try to find activities that calm That’s why it’s critical to know the
step-down tool to help you quit. you down. This could include going for symptoms so that you can act quickly
a walk and getting fresh air, listening if one happens.
TACKLE LONELINESS to music, practising mindfulness or
4 Social isolation affects many meditation, speaking to friends or The most common signs of a heart
thousands of people across the family. You can also speak to your GP attack are chest pain or discomfort that
UK. It can be hard to avoid when you about strategies to help. suddenly occurs and doesn’t go away.
16 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020BY ASHLEIGH LI, SENIOR CARDIAC NURSE, THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
r your heart
It might feel like pressure, squeezing or health. Phytochemicals are antioxidants to know you are at risk. If an aneurysm
heaviness in your chest. Or you may have (natural chemicals that are thought becomes large, it can sometimes cause a
pain spread to your left and right arm or to protect against harmful substances pulsating feeling in your abdomen, or
to your neck, jaw, back or stomach. called free radicals), and diets rich in persistent back pain.
foods that contain these, such as fruits
Feeling sick, sweaty, light-headed or short and vegetables, are associated with Symptoms can include:
of breath can be common symptoms. Less lower levels of heart disease.
A sudden onset of severe pain across
common symptoms include a sudden
the chest, often felt in the back or
feeling of anxiety, similar to a panic Your heart health is in your own hands.
between the shoulder blades
attack, or excessive coughing.
Aortic aneurysms and Pain in the jaw, face, abdomen, back
Pain levels will vary from person to or lower extremities
person, last for different amounts of time screening
Feeling cold, clammy and sweaty
and may appear gradually or suddenly. An aneurysm is when a blood vessel
The worst thing you can do is to ignore swells to an abnormal size, just like a Fainting and shortness of breath.
the pain and try to ‘walk it off’. If you balloon blowing up. If this swelling
think you could be having a heart attack, bursts, it can be fatal – especially if the The main risk factors for developing
call 999 immediately. It is a medical aneurysm is in the aorta – the main an aortic aneurysm are smoking, a
emergency so it is essential you get seen artery that sends blood from your heart family history of aneurysms, high blood
by doctor or paramedic quickly. to the rest of your body. pressure and high cholesterol.
SWAP SUPPLEMENTS FOR Usually, aneurysms grow slowly, at Men over the age of 65 are most at risk,
8 A HEALTHY DIET around 1-2mm per year. If an aneurysm and that’s why all men are invited for
Supplements are no replacement grows too large, the risk of bursting screening during the year they turn
for a healthy diet. Rather than taking increases. 65. The screening involves a quick,
supplements to reduce your risk of harmless ultrasound and helps those
having a heart attack or stroke, try These swellings can usually be treated with an aneurysm get the earliest
focussing on eating a healthy, balanced, with surgery or a stent, but only if they possible treatment.
Mediterranean-style diet. This includes are found. Most aneurysms do not cause
white and oily fish, along with plenty obvious symptoms, which makes it hard
of fruit, vegetables and pulses, lentils, At 65 all men should be
nuts, seeds, unsaturated oils and screened to rule out an
wholegrains. aortic aneurysm
GET MOVING
9 Many people think the only
exercise worth doing is spending
hours in the gym. But research shows
even small things count, and as little
as 10 minutes extra exercise each day
carries benefits. That makes it important
to weave in physical activity wherever
you can. Take the stairs instead of the
escalator, park a few streets away from
work, or get off the bus a few stops early.
EAT THE RAINBOW
10
Getty Images
Studies show the chemicals
which give fruit and vegetables
their colour may be beneficial to heart
17 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020SECTOR CONFERENCE
SETTING O
Unite held its sector conferences in Brighton in November.
The biennial event is important as it establishes the policies
that the sector will follow for the next two years.
Motions discussed at the conference included:
Campaign for fair work Seconding the motion another delegate It has graded time serviced skilled
added: “We can’t afford to lose this craft workers on the same pay rates as
The motion raised the ongoing
battle” and he sent a message to Costain workers who have not completed an
problems at Euston where the Costain/
and Skanska. “You think you are big apprenticeship and undertake craft
Mark Thomas
Skanska Joint Venture (CSJV) is
and powerful but you are not as big as assistant roles.
engaged in union busting by preventing
Unite.”
Unite’s officials accessing the site and
Conwell warned that if implemented
speaking to workers. Despite the client
HS2, agreeing an initial framework Site access 45 per cent of workers at the council
would lose pay. In a consultative ballot
agreement (IFA) with unions, giving Following the CSJV controversy the 94 per cent of members had rejected the
the right of access. The motion set out motion set out that all construction proposals.
the union’s stall across the multi-billion agreements must ensure officials are
pound project. guaranteed access to sites and this must Seconding the motion, Lewis
specify access to canteens and welfare Phillipson who also works at Newcastle
The motion was overwhelmingly carried facilities during workers’ break time. council, said: “Apprentices don’t have
and committed the Unite construction There should be no compromise on this the easiest lives and a plumber is a four
sector to campaign to use all means matter. year apprenticeship. “At the end of your
necessary to:
time you would be on the same rate as a
Ensure full compliance with the HS2
Construction charter craft assistant.”
IFA The conference agreed a motion
which called for better understanding Social housing
Establish enhanced agreements on all of construction charters. Regional
projects secretaries will arrange briefings organisation
Ensure all workers are directly between regional officers and the accountability
employed on a PAYE basis construction regional industrial sector The North West brought forward a
committee (RISC) to ensure the charters motion about the lack of democratic
Require all agreements to have an
are complied with. involvement on the board of social
anti-blacklisting clause
housing organisations.
Ensure that appropriate facilities are National Job evaluation
provided to Unite reps Where the people taking decisions are
The North East, Yorrshire and
Guarantee Unite officers access to Humberside region brought forward a not connected with the local community
workers during their break time. motion to derecognise the national job and chief executives can receive salaries
evaluation scheme. up to £500,000.
Moving the motion a delegate from
London and Eastern said: “Skanska Moving the motion Steve Conwell The motion which was carried, called
was one of the companies involved in Unite’s convenor at Newcastle City on the sector to mount a campaign
blacklisting they are probably doing it Council explained how the “job to have real accountability reinstated
again and that is why they don’t want us evaluation process was forced upon us through having elected representatives
on their site”. and it is not fit for purpose.” on boards.
18 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020BY BARCKLEY SUMNER
OUR PATH
Construction delegates
Moving the motion Ged Cooney Agreement on climate at sector conference
reminded the conference that at “Grenfell
there was little or no democratic
change
South East, said: “I am a painter and
involvement” and by bringing back The liveliest debate was on a motion I can’t work in those conditions as my
democratic accountability it would give about the Construction Industry Joint products don’t work.”
residents “some form of protection”. Council (CIJC) agreement to make it fit The motion was narrowly defeated
for the 21st century. The motion called
for an agreed hourly rate for working
Highways maintenance in the rain, extra breaks for extreme
Guest speakers
The conference carried a motion which weather and better quality PPE. Delegates received several contributions
recognised that in some areas Unite was from guest speakers. Coen Van Der
well organised in highways maintenance Moving the motion John Dodds Veer gave fraternal greetings and
contracts while in others this was not from the South West explained that provided an update on the work of
the case. he had worked for 28 years as a steel the global federation of construction
fixer and was regularly forced to work unions the Building and Woodworkers
The motion called for a joined up in the rain, within an hour he will International (BWI).
network so that workers in these be soaked through and that despite
sectors can organise to increase pay and not working in the same weather Unite national health and safety advisor
conditions. “company managers have better Rob Miguel spoke about exposure to
personal protective equipment(PPE)”. asbestos and prostate cancer.
Lee Hughes from the North West said: He added that it was essential
“Workers are suffering on a daily basis, “workers are not compromised at the The star of the show was veteran Left-
I know of a highway operative who workplace.” wing professor of accounting Prem Sikka
worked 14 days straight.” who used the examples of the collapse
While all delegates were supportive of of Carillion and Interserve’s recent fall
Delegates called on a combine to cherry the intention behind the motion some into administration to show all that was
pick the best bits of all the existing including scaffolders and bricklayers wrong with the UK’s financial system
agreements to create a model agreement. pointed out that to require them to and then described policies to promote
Unite Executive council member Jamie work in the rain would compromise a radical overhaul of existing laws to
Bramwell said: “We need to tackle all their safety or the quality of their better protect workers from corporate
the employers in one hit.” work. Tracey Whittle from the greed which could cost jobs.
19 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020TAX ADVICE BY ROBERT PARKER, RIFT UNION LIAISON
RIFT Resolutions:
Beat the New Year Blues with a Tax Refund
New Year’s resolutions: we all break
them - and it hardly ever matters. After Now is the time for
all, you are only cheating yourself. If construction workers to make
there is one type of resolution that can a resolution to claim your tax
make a real-world difference, though, it’s refund in 2020
the financial kind. Here are a few simple
commitments that can make for a much
happier, more prosperous 2020.
Set realistic saving goals
and stick to them
It doesn’t have to be a lot. Just saving
£50 a month can be a real boost to
your finances. Knowing what you can
reasonably save on a regular basis is
half the battle. You can even make
things easier by setting up an automatic
monthly transfer into your savings
account, or using a savings goals app.
Ease up on the plastic
Getty Images
Credit cards are some of the most
expensive debts you can run up so make
sure you are clearing them each month
if you can.
and could end up with an unexpected them it turns out they were owed
Keep your receipts bill at the end of the tax year. money.
If you are buying anything work related Always check. It only takes a few
– public transport tickets, food, tools, Consider your impulse buys
minutes and with average annual
personal protective equipment (PPE), No one is saying you can’t buy that refunds in the building game come
etc make sure you keep your receipts so sudden “must-have” treat. Just take a to £953 if you are on the books or
you’ve got the evidence to claim your moment to think about whether this is over £2,000 if you are paid via the
expenses back. the best deal. Shop around a bit first. That Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), it
goes for energy providers, too. Switch is money you want back in your wallet.
Think twice about unexpected bonuses. when the deals are better elsewhere.
When you’ve got unexpected extra If you haven’t claimed before we can
cash, save a chunk of it and enjoy the Make sure you claim your help you claim for the past four years
rest. You’ll be better off for it and you
won’t be depriving yourself. tax refund every year at once. Talk to us and we will help you
get what is yours. Remember, you are
Whatever other resolutions you make always better off with RIFT.
If you suddenly start getting more for 2020, always check if you are due
in your take home pay than you’re a tax refund. We are finding too many Contact us on 01233 653974 and
expecting, check your tax code, or even people are still leaving their cash remember to quote your UNITE
better give us a call and we’ll do it for sitting at HMRC because they either membership number for our
you. If your tax code has been mistakenly don’t know they can claim every year discounted rates or visit
changed by an employer or HMRC you or assume they won’t be eligible RIFTrefunds.co.uk/UNITE
will be paying the wrong amount of tax again. When we have checked for
20 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020LEGAL BY ROBERT LEMON, PERSONAL INJURY SOLICITOR UNITE
WINNING JUSTICE
for accident victems
Getty Images
A great deal of progress has been made
in reducing fatalities in the construction
industry but dangers still remain.
Recent figures have shown that
accidents actually increased last year
and the true figures will be far higher
than official figures as it is a sector
where many accidents are unreported,
especially those involving the falsely
self-employed, who fear that pursuing a
legal claim will result in dismissal.
Construction workers are fully
It is vital that everyone who does suffer protected when members of Unite
an injury makes sure it is recorded and
if possible a legal case for compensation
is taken. Often the only way to ensure The case was complex as it involved three evidence demonstrated the symptoms
contractors improve safety is to hit them companies being potentially at fault, the were partially as a result of using
in the pocket financially. member’s employer, the plasterboard vibrating tools but there were other
contractor and the company responsible possible factors. Despite the medical
If you pursue a personal injury claim for site safety. evidence not being straightforward a
for an accident inside or outside of claim was made and compensation of
work through Unite Legal Services All of the companies blamed each other £5,000 was secured.
you receive free representations and as well as blaming the member.
100 per cent of the compensation Scaffolder’s site injury
awarded. A high street solicitor will After the member contacted Unite Legal
charge a fee and/or take a cut of your Services, detailed investigations were A member from the North West
compensation. pursued. The defendants made an initial was employed as a scaffolder. Whilst
offer of £75,000 which was rejected and dismantling scaffolding on site a 13 foot
In 2019 Unite Legal Services secured following the submission of supportive section fell on him, striking the side of
hundreds of thousands of pounds expert medical evidence the member his face and knocking him to the ground.
compensation for a large number of received compensation of £120,000.
members in the construction sector who He sustained cuts, bruising and swelling
to his face, concussions and headaches.
had suffered injury inside and outside of White finger victim wins
the workplace.
compensation It was discovered that the scaffolding
A member in Wales had worked for had been inadequately secured.
Pipe fitter suffers knee
the same engineering and welding
injury company since 1992. They regularly The member contacted Unite Legal
A pipe fitter in the North West suffered used vibrating tools and equipment. Services and the employer admitted
a serious injury when they were leaning From 2013 they started to develop liability. An initial offer of compensation
through an access hatch and a stack of symptoms affecting their hands, fingers was rejected but the case was successfully
unsecured plasterboards fell on them and thumbs which was thought to be a completed in less than 12 months with
trapping their leg. result of hand Arm Vibration Syndrome the member being awarded £5,500.
(known as HAVS or ‘white finger’).
The member required surgery on their If you have suffered a workplace
left knee and was left with permanent The member eventually contacted injury or illness call Unite Legal
instability and discomfort. Unite Legal Services and expert medical Services for free on 0800 709 007.
21 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020uniteRecommends
This page is a counterpoint to the mainstream media and
reviews important pieces of work for Unite members.
Books Film
The Silence of the Girls Sorry We Missed You
by Pat Barker
Ken Loach’s new film Sorry We Missed You confronts the
As a child I was fascinated by the viewer with the depressing reality of being caught in the
Greek myths and in particular grinding poverty of low paid insecure work.
the tales about the siege of Troy
and the infamous horse. They are The facts and figures – zero hours contracts quintupling
stories I still find bewitching. since 2010, the gig economy doubling in five years to five
It is probably why I found Pat million, more than a fifth of working households in poverty
Barker’s The Silence of the Girls so – are shocking.
compelling.
But Sorry We Missed You smashes through the numbers like a
gut punch by providing a first person view of what it is like
In the Silence of the Girls to exist in a world devoid of employment security, working
Achilles is a ruthless killing rights or a guaranteed wage.
machine not a hero
In a nutshell it is a partial The film follows Newcastle delivery driver Ricky, who is
retelling of the siege from supposedly self-employed, Ricky does not have time to stop
the perspective of Briseis, driving to eat or use the toilet – forcing him to carry an
who begins the story as a queen of empty water bottle for emergencies – because he is being
Lyrnessus a city allied to Troy. After it is sacked by the tracked by a handheld scanner and will be fined if he doesn’t
Greeks she becomes the sex slave to Achilles, the mightiest make the deliveries in time.
of the Greek warriors.
If Ricky gets sick, he has to find someone else to drive his
The opening sequence as Lyrnessus is stomred by the round or his wages will be docked by £200.
Greeks is an incredible piece of evocative writing.
Those high standards are maintained throughout the Sorry We Missed You
novel as Briseis, rails against her slavery but also ensures strikes at the heart of
she does what is necessary to survive. the gig economy
The recasting of Achilles from the traditional role of a
heroic figure to a vicious unrelenting killing machine, The painful
who misses his mother, is one of the most interesting closeup shots
twists in the book. of Ricky
desperately
This is an absolute first class book, which really makes trying to
you think about the forgotten victims of war, who are fulfil his work
usually women. commitments
are accompanied by equally disturbing footage of the daily
Stephen James toils Ricky’s wife Abby goes through as a home care worker.
Just as distressing are the scenes of the couple’s home life
as they struggle to bring up their two kids while working
Your Recommendations every hour god sends to put food on the table.
Unite members are encouraged to send ideas for future
recommendations. We will cover film, television, DVDs
and books. The only stipulation is a recommendation needs What makes Sorry We Missed You so upsetting is the
to be easily available. If you would like to write your own knowledge that many thousands of families are living similar
reviews please do but keep your contributions to 250 words. stories to Ricky and Abby’s everyday.
Send recommendations and reviews to barckley.sumner@
unitetheunion.org Ryan Fletcher
22 Construction, Allied
Trades and Technicians
Winter 2020You can also read
