Runcorn construction workers walk out

Construction workers at the Runcorn thermal power station site have walked out in protest over health and safety issues. A worker on the site explained:

We walked out yesterday because of a few issues. The sparks have got issues with the gaffer, and other firms have got their own issues.

The stewards don't get the respect from management which they should do, but the main issue is the toilet facilities which have no hot water and no heating, and the canteen which yesterday had no lights on! Basically they're trying to run the site as cheaply as possible with only the bare minimum provided.

These issues have been raised with management numerous times over the last 18 months and they've paid only lip-service to our concerns.

So at a mass meeting today we decided to stay out until we see improvements. We also took a solidarity vote today, that anyone with a dispute on the site will get the support of the whole site.

Things have come to a head and we've decided we need to make a stand to get the facilities and the recognition for our stewards that we deserve. So tomorrow, we'll cabin-up, and either they make the improvements we want, or we're staying out!

Send messages of support c/o the north-west Shop Stewards Network, [email protected]

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