Question asked: is £20ph achievable? Answer: Yes, but…….!!
At a recent site workers’ meeting of the UK R&F BWC in London a general worker asked if £20ph is achievable. It is quite significant this question came from a general worker, many of who are on round about £10 per hour and even less. Some migrant workers are put on the minimum wage and that’s an insult to those on it and those politicians and employers who’re responsible for it and the unions who accept it and are beneath contempt. So our policy demand for £20ph is quite a leap and takes some believing for many site workers!
The secretary of the UK R&F BWC replied that yes, £20ph is achievable, but all site workers in all occupations are going to have to unite, organise and fight and will be forced to take strike action to get it. Building employers are not going to give it to us on a plate just because we ask for it and deserve it!!
If building workers are organised and ELECT good shop stewards to represent them they can change site conditions over pay and other major issues on site dramatically. This has been done many times in the past, more recently by the steel erectors at Wembley Stadium and before that the sparks on the Jubilee Line in the late 90’s. Going back further, wage rises were achieved by site workers in struggle at Thames Barrier in the 80’s before UCATT did a disgraceful no strike deal, the Barbican Centre earlier, and of course the biggest and most successful united struggle of site workers in all occupations across Britain in the 1972 national strike when a rise in the basic wage for all occupations of 30% was achieved!
It was said in 1997 that sparks would never get £10ph in the foreseeable future. It’s now £14.09 per hour. And the latest three year deal has been rejected in a ballot and we’re demanding a much better basic rate and the UK R&F BWC think and want all site workers to join in and make it one big struggle and movement for £20ph for all site workers. And another warning! NEVER rely on FTO’s – they’ll sell you out and let you down! Do it yourself on site, take action, stop the job and set up picket lines and get all trades and occupations involved.
It has been successful in the past and can be successful again. Join a union and make sure it’s organised on site and NOT controlled by FTO’s!!
Rather than give up or accept the crap wages and conditions on site……..
DON’T JACK – FIGHTBACK- YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE!!!!!!
Leave a Reply