UNITE proteste contre les pratiques antisyndicales de Costain SKANSKA

UNITE the Union, has stepped up its campaign against union busting practices of Costain SKANKSA Joint Venture (CSJV) with a series of demonstrations. On 4 October UNITE held the largest protest and demonstration outside of HS2 Euston site being operated by the CSJV and on 7 October Unite held a demonstration at HS2 Headquarters in Birmingham.

UNITE’s dispute with CSJV is the result of the ongoing union busting being undertaken by CSJV. Costain and Skanska has refused Unite normal access to its workforce, despite the client HS2 agreeing a framework agreement for the entire project, that sets out minimum standards including allowing union’s access to the workforce.

Unite cherche à avoir accès, par accord préalable, travailleurs de la cantine du site pendant les pauses, une pratique courante sur les chantiers de construction du Royaume-Uni.

According to Gail Cartmail, Assistant General Secretary of UNITE, “We have been trying to resolve the problem of union busting through negotiations since the end of April, but the CSJV has refused to allow normal access and HS2 has declined to force their hand.”

Depuis le début de la campagne d'accès, Unite a découvert sur le site une série de problèmes allant directement à l'encontre de l'accord-cadre, notamment des heures supplémentaires insuffisamment payées, l'absence de droit à des vacances, le recours à des entreprises faîtières et le non-respect des conditions de couverture des travailleurs par une assurance accident et décès.

Costain et Skanska ont l'habitude de réprimer les syndicats au Royaume-Uni et sont coupables d’établir des listes noires dans le secteur de la construction.

Unite national officer Jerry Swain stated, “Costain and Skanska are guilty of union busting and HS2 has acted as their conduit. Costain and Skanska were guilty of blacklisting on an industrial scale but have said they have changed their ways, we know a leopard doesn’t change its spots by denying Unite access to its site the question is, what are they hiding?”.