Electricians vent their anger as unions claim contractors are demading up to a 35% cut in pay
There were more workers than normal gathered outside the site entrance of Blackfriars Station this morning.
And they weren鈥檛 working for Balfour Beatty, the main contractor on the 拢350m redevelopment of the Thameslink station.
They were protesting about potential wage cuts for electricians and around 100 were making themselves heard above the din of the early morning traffic. 鈥滾et鈥檚 go out there and take those f*** down,鈥� a man shouted. Another carried a board that read 鈥淓nough is enough鈥�.
They felt reason to be aggrieved. First it was a wage freeze back in January 2011, now electricians are angry over the prospect of major contractors pulling out of a 40-year industry wage agreement between contractors and workers, with unions claiming workers face up to a 35% cut in pay.
Eight major electrical contractors, including Balfour Beatty Engineering Services, are planning to ditch the Joint Industry Board (JIB) agreement that was founded in 1968, from March next year. The contractors deny workers face a wage cut.
John Corkerry, 52, who鈥檚 worked as an electrician for the last 35 years, was worried about his son鈥檚 prospects as he enters into the business through an apprenticeship. He said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e not just here fighting for ourselves, we鈥檙e fighting for the future. It鈥檚 not even worth coming into the industry now.鈥�
The consensus on the ground was that 鈥渢he fat cats are getting fatter and the rest of us are paying the price鈥�. These words came from one man who didn鈥檛 want to be named but claimed contractors were charging the same for projects while cutting wages to boost profit margins.
The recession has emboldened contractors to cut wages
Barry Smith
I wanted to know why the bigger contractors had decided now was the time to break with an agreement that鈥檚 stood for so long. There were attempts in 1991 and 1997 to cut industry wages and overhaul the agreement, though these were thwarted by protest.
When I ask, I鈥檓 told by a few people there that they feel the renewed vigour from contractors is timely. 鈥淭he recession has emboldened contractors to cut wages,鈥� claimed Barry Smith, 39, an electrician who believes he鈥檚 been blacklisted. 鈥淭hey think with the recession that they can force our hand.鈥�
The demonstration intensified with trade union representatives addressing the protesters, armed with megaphones. Steve Kelly, Unite鈥檚 London and South-east branch secretary, called for Balfour Beatty workers to come out and join them on the picket line at 8am. 鈥淚t will be a tough fight but if we get together we can do it鈥�, he said.
As far as I could tell Balfour Beatty workers ignored the call and continued on their way to work, weaving through the throng of peaceful but determined protesters.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a big turn out today,鈥� said Smith 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 just the beginning.鈥�
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