1411 Building Worker template - Ucatt

Sadiq Khan for London Mayor plus May’s countrywide elections - Page 14

Building together

BUILDING WORKER

UCATT

UNION OF CONSTRUCTION ALLIED TRADES & TECHNICIANS

Warning Apprentice Free Zone 11

EU Referendum: the case for yEs

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Learning is better than football says Loons legend

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Contents 12

Regulars National News 4-5 Regional News 6-8 Legal brief/Adviceline 18-19 Your money 21 Branch news/Obituaries 21 International 22 Cover image: Credit John Bradley

9 Vote Labour in Wales Alan Johnson: Europe protects 11 workers From Loon to learner: UCATT 12-13 convenor John Clark 14 Sadiq Khan for London Apprentices, who needs’em? 15 We do! Are you missing your pension? 16 the stigma around mental health 17 Banish

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BuildingWORKER Spring 2016 No. 67

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Referendum is a vote for workers’ rights HIS trade union wants to stay in the EU – and I am going to tell you why – and it won’t take long. Firstly, it costs a mere 0.5 per cent of our GDP to belong to the EU. That’s around £8.5bn a year. That not-exactly-union-friendly organisation, the bosses - the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) - reckons we get around £70bn worth of benefit in return for our £8.5bn annual entrance fee. That’s a good deal, in my book. Secondly, the EU is proworker. British workers have benefited hugely from laws made in Europe. The Tories call it red tape; we call it improved rights for workers. Here’s some examples: the right to 20 days’ paid annual leave (6 million workers got new or better rights to paid holiday) ; a maximum 48 hour week; time off for antenatal appointments; 18 weeks parental leave per child; equal pay, for equal work between men and women; equal rights

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for agency workers. The EU even curbed excessive mobile phone roaming charges when calling from abroad. I could go on. If the UK votes to leave the EU the Tory Government will take great joy in dismantling these hard earned rights one by one. Currently, the Tories are trying to reduce the rights of workers in the UK. In Europe they don’t do that. They govern in the interests of all – not the few. UCATT and every trade union in Britain has spent decades negotiating and lobbying for workers’ rights. We now work on a European scale. UCATT has representatives on the workers’ councils of both Skanska and Vinci. We deal on a daily basis with multinational construction companies based in continental Europe. If we leave the EU, UCATT will lose this access, and this access and these contacts benefit you, our members.

We are all European: The EU values and protects workers

In the next few months there will be a blizzard of information about the EU referendum. Every time someone talks about loss of sovereignty or immigration, please remember this: Every study in the world – ever – has always shown that immigration is a positive for a country. This is a fact. Secondly, whose sovereignty? Your sovereignty or just a Tory Prime Minister’s increased powers? Exiting the EU would give an all-conquering Tory

Prime Minister - maybe Boris Johnson - the power to wipe out all the workers’ benefits given to us by the EU in the last 30 years. Gone - and gone forever. At UCATT, we know what side we’re on. Please vote with the workers, vote IN. (For more information on the EU referendum see page 11)

Brian Rye Acting General Secretary

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NEWS

UcAtt BUILDING WORKER SPRING 2016

First UCATT blacklisted victims receive compensation CATT members blacklisted by major construction companies via the Consulting Association have finally started to receive compensation nearly seven years after the scandal was revealed. In February compensation worth £5.6 million was paid to 71 UCATT members who had been blacklisted. In several cases the victims of blacklisting received compensation of around £200,000. UCATT has over 160 cases and as Building Worker went to press negotiations were ongoing on the remaining cases. If agreement is not reached the long standing High Court case will go to trial this May. Brian Rye, Acting General Secretary of UCATT, said: “We have been fighting the blacklisting case since the day it was revealed. This is the first significant milestone in the battle to win justice for blacklisted workers. I

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Major construction companies are facing a visit to the Old Bailey over their involvement in the blacklisting scandal. Credit:Tbmurray

hope that this compensation will provide some recompense for these members who have suffered appalling treatment at the

hands of the blacklisters”. UCATT are trying to secure a formal apology from the companies involved in the blacklisting and ensure that all the relevant documentation is maintained so that if a public inquiry is held all the information will be available. The lawyers acting for UCATT are also trying to secure an agreement that if any further personal information relating to the blacklisting of an individual is revealed, that individual will be given access to the information and it then is destroyed to prevent further blacklisting. Finally, legal teams acting for all the blacklisted workers are trying to secure agreement that the blacklisting companies will pay for any of the victims who require it to undergo training in order to be able to re-enter the industry.

Drop in construction inspections DIDcOt UNDERLINEs A Freedom of Information request made by UcAtt has revealed that the number of proactive construction inspections (unannounced inspections) made by the Health and safety Executive has fallen significantly. Overall there was a reduction of 8.7 per cent in inspections between 2012/13 and 2014/15, despite there being an increase in activity in the industry during this time. the most extreme fall was in scotland where the number of inspections fell by 55.7 per cent. the English regions which saw a reduction in inspections were the North West which saw a decline of 32.5 per cent, the North East with a decline of 28.5 per cent, and the south East with a fall of 19.6 per cent.

In the other English regions there was an increase in inspections numbers and the overall decrease in England was 2 per cent. there was also a decline in inspections in Wales where inspections reduced by 3.4%, which was on top of a substantial reduction in the country from 2011/12 to 2012/13. In regions which saw a decline in inspections there was also a reduction in the issuing of enforcement and prohibition notices. It is unclear whether the reduction in inspections is a result of specific HsE policies, pressure from Government or the 35% funding cuts that the HsE have experienced since 2010.

cONstRUctION DANGERs The collapse of a building at the Didcot power station, resulting in the death of four workers, was the worst accident in the industry for over five years and underlines the ongoing dangers experienced by workers in construction. The fatalities occurred while the building was being prepared to be demolished. Brian Rye, Acting General Secretary, said: “Our thoughts are with the families of the

Four workers were killed in February while demolishing the Didcot power station. zootalures

deceased workers. In 21st century Britain, everyone should be coming home from work safe and sound at the end of the day”. In January 2011 four workers were killed in Great Yarmouth

following the collapse of a steel structure. Over five years after that accident the Health and Safety Executive have only just begun the prosecution of the companies involved in the accident.

Tories tax on travel expenses will cost building workers Almost half a million building workers will be much worse off after April’s budget when tax-free travel expenses and subsistence allowances (overnights) will be taxed. Workers working for umbrella companies and employment agencies including those on PAYE operating via a

collective agreement (such as the CIJC) will now have to pay tax and national insurance on travel expenses. From a recent case study, an employee working for an umbrella company who is receiving £144 per week in travel expenses will now lose £64.80 per week to tax and have to pay both employees’ and employers’ national

insurance. This equates to a wage drop of £3,369 a year. UCATT estimates that on average umbrella company workers will be roughly a £1,000 a year worse off while workers being paid PAYE via an agency will be £600 worse off. HMRC had previously said the changes to the taxing of construction

workers would have a negligible impact on wages. Brian Rye, Acting General Secretary of UCATT, said: “The attitude of HMRC in belittling the impact this tax change will have on construction workers working under the yolk of umbrella companies, illustrates the utter contempt this Tory Government has for

the British worker. In the real world, this will mean a whole lot less food on the table. Meanwhile, umbrella companies will be allowed to continue their tax dodging ways. This Government is for the rich, by the rich – and wants the rest of us to pay. We’re damned sure George Osborne’s travel expenses aren’t taxed.”

Smug: George Osborne doesn’t pay tax on his travel expenses - but from April you will Credit: HM Treasury

NEWS


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Work till you Drop UCATT have called for the Government to introduce a lower pension age for construction workers due to the heavy physical nature of the work. The call came after the Government announced in March that it was conducting a fresh review into the state pension age. Speculation has been rife that new workers entering the workplace will not be able to retire until they are 75 years old. The review is being undertaken by John Cridland the former Director General of the employers’ organisation, the CBI. The state pension age for men and women will reach 67 in 2028. The importance of having a

Construction workers are not impressed when told the Government wants them to work until they drop. CGP Grey

lower pension age for construction workers, which is strongly supported by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, is due to the fact that the majority of construction workers are forced out of the industry before they reach the existing state pension age of 65.

uutORIEs tO GUt GANGmAstERs LIcENsING systEm UCATT has warned that the government’s plans to relax the licensing of gangmasters will be a missed opportunity to prevent the exploitation and mistreatment of workers. The Government are proposing to extend the Gangmasters Act to cover the construction industry, which is a long-term demand of UCATT. However, they are also proposing a “more flexible approach”. This will result in the effectiveness of the licensing process being weakened. The GLA’s powers to fully investigate and visit a labour supplier before granting a licence will be removed. The ability to prevent rogue employers from entering the industry will be undermined. Brian Rye, Acting General Secretary of UCATT, said: “For flexible licensing read – look the other way.” uuExtRA cscs cHEcKs URGED Employers are being urged to electronically check if CSCS cards are genuine or alternatively validate the cards via the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) website. Following the recent revelations about fake cards and fake test results, both CSCS and CITB say the measures taken in the wake of the fraudulent activity should have caught most of the affected workers. 4,615 cards were revoked and 6,000 candidates were told they had to re-sit the test. 2,000 workers were also told to re-sit the Site Safety Plus certificate. Chief Executive of CSCS, Graham Wren, said: “We are urging employers to check the validity of all cards by either electronically reading the CSCS SmartCard or by using “Card Checker” via the CITB website. The number of people suspected of fraudulent activity is relatively small, compared to the 400,000 cards issued each year.” Of the 6,000 asked to re-sit, 5,480 did not register to retake their test. uuLORDs cHALLENGE tRADE UNION BILL As Building Worker went to press the House of Lords was due to conclude their deliberations into the Trade Union Bill. It remains unclear whether the Lords will be able to significantly amend the legislation which is the greatest attack on unions for over 25 years. However the growing concerns about the Bill may force the Government to make concessions. The key areas the Labour Lords have been focussing on have been the proposed ban on check-off in the public sector, and forcing union members to opt in rather than opt out of union political funds. Full details of the Trade Union Bill and how it will affect UCATT will be included in the next issue of the Building Worker.

UcAtt KEEps Its VOIcE UcAtt members have overwhelmingly voted to maintain the political fund, the union’s voice. the all-members vote was undertaken during February. A total of 42,541 ballot papers were issued and 9,067 were returned a turnout of 21.3% (a high turnout compared to other union’s political fund ballots). A total of 41 votes were spoiled or invalid. the number of votes in favour of keeping the political fund was 8772 (97.2%) with 254 votes against (2.8%). Brian Rye, Acting General secretary, said: “I’d like to thank our members for voting to keep the political fund. Our voice is their voice, and we will continue to let those in power know we are here.”

KILLER BOssEs EscApING JUstIcE scOt-FREE The number of convictions following the death of construction workers has plummeted and even if a conviction is mounted justice is increasingly delayed. A series of parliamentary questions tabled by Stephen Hepburn the Labour MP for Jarrow has revealed that the percentage of companies convicted following the death of a worker has fallen from 51% in 2007/8 to just 35% in 2012/13. Previous research produced by the Health and Safety Executive indicates that management failure contributes to at least 70 per cent of construction deaths. The HSE’s own target for convictions

following construction deaths is 60 per cent. The low conviction rates appear not to be a result of a high number of not guilty verdicts as a further question revealed that between 91%-95% of prosecutions resulted in a conviction. Even in the rare cases where a prosecution is mounted against a killer boss, the length of time between a fatal accident and a conviction is increasing. It is now taking on average three and a half years (1,267 days) between the death of a worker and anyone being convicted. Mr Hepburn said: “These figures reveal there is something terribly wrong in how we are dealing with

Labour MP Stephen Hepburn has uncovered that families of construction victims are experiencing years of delays before killer bosses are brought to justice and the majority of the bosses are escaping scot-free.

workplace accidents. From a low base we have seen a serious decline in conviction rates and an ever increasing delay before justice is achieved. This is causing human misery and the government must not turn a blind eye to these failures.”

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REGIONAL NEWS


Action urged following London construction deaths CATT is calling on the Health and Safety Executive to urgently review their reporting procedures following new research on migrant deaths. The HSE do not currently record the nationality of workers killed at work. When UCATT investigated deaths in London, which had the highest number of fatalities in 2014/15 with seven deaths, it was discovered that five (71%) were migrant workers. UCATT are concerned that as the nationalities of workers aren’t being recorded

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the industry are being denied the opportunity to learn lessons and ensure safety is improved. Jerry Swain, Regional Secretary for London and the South East, said: “It is essential when looking at measures to reduce the current level of fatalities, issues such as different safety standards, language and whether the deceased was new to the construction industry are properly considered. This is simply not going to happen if the HSE fails to address the nationality of workers who suffer a fatal accident.”

Bladerunner stopped short A UCATT member in London was working for a major constructor. The member was working on a piece of machinery called, “the blade” which has an exclusion zone, which is clearly cordoned off. All workers are clearly told at the induction meeting that if they need to enter the zone, they must tell the person operating the blade. A member of staff – a company manager, who was not known to the person working on the blade, stepped into the zone. The UCATT member operating the equipment immediately asked the manager what he was doing. After the conversation, the UCATT member was sent a letter from management telling him he was to be investigated for aggressive behaviour. The investigation led to a disciplinary hearing for gross misconduct. At this stage, London and South

Tapping off

UCATT’s Paul Lomax defended UCATT member facing gross misconduct charge

East Regional Organiser, Paul Lomax, stepped in to represent the member. Mr Lomax told the hearing the member should be applauded for his actions in asking questions of what was an unknown intruder to the zone. He pointed out that since he was only following well-documented company procedures, he should not be disciplined. The hearing agreed with the comments made by Mr Lomax and all allegations were dropped.

Aberdeenshire Council slammed for abandoning workers UCATT has helped a group of maintenance workers find new work after they were treated appallingly by Aberdeenshire Council. The group of 18 workers were previously employed by Kier on an outsourced maintenance contract from Aberdeenshire Council. Kier withdrew from the contract and the council split the work between 12 smaller

One area where UCATT has called for reform is in the CSCS health and safety test. Rather than a simple tick box exercise, UCATT believes that workers should not start on site until they have completed a minimum of a one-day safety course. Mr Swain added: “Anyone can be taught to pass a tick box exam. That does not mean that they will not endanger themselves or their colleagues when they are working in construction.”

companies and then claimed that TUPE did not apply and the workers would not be transferred to the new companies. Regional Organiser for the area Steve Dillon, worked with Aberdeen Labour Councillor Willie Young to secure interviews for seven of the workers with Aberdeen City Council. This resulted in two of the workers being recruited. With UCATT’s assistance all

The two SNP leaders of Aberdeenshire Council

but one of the affected workers quickly found new employment. UCATT have continued negotiations with Aberdeenshire Council to resolve the matter but if they don’t secure justice legal action will be pursued.

A UCATT member who works at a site welfare container hire company in Scunthorpe found himself in a tricky position when accused of theft. The member was repairing a welfare container by changing a set of taps. On returning from his break he discovered the old taps, had gone missing. He told his line manager and carried on working. The following day he was asked by management to open his personal locker, under supervision, as he was suspected of stealing the taps. The taps were

Access all areas: unsecured lockers causing trouble

found in the locker and the member, despite protesting his innocence, was suspended pending investigation. Yorkshire Regional Organiser John McIntyre was called in and pointed out both the locker and the room the locker was in, were

unsecured. Anyone had access to the locker. Two weeks later the member was completely exonerated and returned to work. Given the nature of the scare, the member expressed his gratitude to John, saying he was relieved the union was there to represent him.

VINDIcAtION VIctORy Eighty UCATT members in the North West have won a tribunal victory worth £400,000 after construction company Mears failed to acknowledge TUPE transfers. The complicated and protracted case took five years to resolve after Mears took over Jackson Lloyd, a housing maintenance company, and began altering Jackson Lloyd employee contracts without acknowledging that the employees had effectively been transferred to Mears. North West Regional Secretary, Andy Fisher, said: “Mears claimed – at the time – that there were no TUPE transfer implications in the takeover but immediately began making alterations to various departments to integrate them into their set up, rather than leave Jackson Lloyd as a stand-alone organisation. Our view was that, effectively, Mears took over all aspects of the running of Jackson Lloyd and that Jackson Lloyd had lost its identity as a stand-alone business. The tribunal agreed with us.” The payout decision of £400,000 represents approximately 13 weeks’ pay for each UCATT member. The case took so long to resolve because of its complexity, with members working at different depots, under different contracts, all with different pay records. As Andy Fisher said: “With 80 members’ details being needed, it took a further eight months to put together all that was needed.”

REGIONAL NEWS


uuCONNAUGHT VICTORY Twenty-two UCATT members in the South West, who found themselves jobless in 2010 when major construction company Connaught went bust, will finally receive some compensation. UCATT has doggedly fought their cause, after the outsourced housing contractor went belly-up without warning. An employment tribunal in Exeter ruled that Connaught had failed to consult its employees when it knew it was going into liquidation and that the UCATT members were entitled to the statutory 90 days’ redundancy pay. However, because Connaught has gone bust and there isn’t any money, the UCATT members will have to be reimbursed by the Government’s Redundancy Payments Office scheme which will step in and pay out to a maximum of eight weeks’ pay. Regional Secretary, Nick Blundell, said: “The UCATT members received some welcome news after a very long journey for justice.”

Forth Fair pay victory Days before Christmas UCATT officials had to step in to resolve a holiday pay dispute on the Forth Road Crossing. The workers staged a walkout after the employer Galliford Try failed to resolve a long-standing problem with average holiday pay in the workers’ Christmas pay packets. Following emergency talks the company admitted that it could not calculate how much each worker was owed. An agreement was reached that each worker would receive £500 as an interim payment while the matter was resolved. However there were further tensions in the New Year when the company claimed workers had been overpaid and they would claw back the money from the workforce. UCATT officials had to again step in to prevent a further walkout.

Bridge over troubled Forth water Credit Chris Combe

Holidays in the sun UCATT member working as a plasterer in the London region has received a cheque for holiday back pay of £24,720. London and South East Regional Organiser, Vince McCoy, stepped in to help the member when his employer claimed he was selfemployed and not entitled to holiday pay. Following some investigation work by Vince McCoy it was established that the member, Patrick

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Holden from Dartford Branch UG066, was in fact, a bona fide employee and thus entitled to holiday pay. UCATT solicitors OH Parsons took on the case, securing the back pay for Mr Holden. Vince McCoy said: “It is always great when we are successful in claiming money that employers have tried to rob from our members and it is even better when it is such a large amount. Mr Holden said: “Without the determination of

The cheque for £24,702 being presented to Patrick Holden. Left to right: Terry Harbour (Dartford Branch Secretary), Patrick Holden, Vince McCoy

UCATT representatives to seek justice on my behalf, I would never have seen this money. UCATT solicitors are second to none and that comes from the

fact that they only work for union members. If nothing else, this shows why all construction workers should be members of UCATT.”

TUPE SUCCESS After lengthy negotiations, Fareham Borough Council in Hampshire, has taken back inhouse the repair and maintenance work for its housing stock. UCATT Regional Organiser Terry Abbott was involved throughout the negotiations. The work had been outsourced to a local contractor, with most of those TUPE transferred back to the council being UCATT members. There were initial problems as the council had first required everyone to be multi-skilled, but after Terry’s intervention, it has been agreed to take on all the existing workforce and supply training for anyone who wishes to be upgraded to become multi-skilled. All members’ pay rates will be honoured for those that were on a higher rate than the council bands, and those below will be made up to the average rate. The workers are also all now eligible to join the local authority pension scheme.

uuUNLAWFUL DEDUCTIONS Four UCATT members working for a South West building maintenance company in East Devon suffered surprise deductions from their wages when TUPED over to another company. Their previous company had decided to make the deductions after carrying out a van stock audit. UCATT stepped in to represent the members and immediately found that the van stock had never been checked off, nor did the company have any evidence of wrongdoing. Plus, the company concerned did not make any attempt to seek the employees’ agreement to the deductions from wages, making their actions unlawful. UCATT initiated grievance proceedings in which the facts were clearly established by the union representatives and to the relief of the members all deductions from their wages were reimbursed. uuPAY THE RATE A large housing maintenance company based in Stoke-on-Trent failed to pay a site manager in Liverpool the last three Construction Industry Joint Council pay rises because he was paid above the CIJC rate. The 62-year-old UCATT member hadn’t had a pay rise in 8 years. Regional Organiser, John Shepherd, stepped in and took the case through the company’s internal complaints procedure but to no effect. So the UCATT official took the case to the CIJC national appeals panel, which was the first time it had been used in 15 years, and won the case. The member was awarded back pay of £1,700 and his rate was made up to include the three CIJC pay rises. John said: “The member said all along it wasn’t about the money and he was true to his word donating part of the award to a local home which had looked after his wife’s mother in her last years.” Follow UcAtt on twitter at @ UcAttunion or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UcAttunion

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REGIONAL NEWS


Wales takes asbestos action OBBYING by UCATT has resulted in the Welsh Government pledging to take action to prevent workers from being exposed to asbestos. In January, Barckley Sumner, UCATT’s Head of Communication, Politics and Campaigns, Nick Blundell the Wales and South West Regional Secretary and Sophie Williams, the union’s National Political Network member for the region, met with Lesley Griffiths, the Welsh Government Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty and who has responsibility for housing. UCATT raised concerns about how maintenance workers in both social housing and the private

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The Welsh Assembly are taking action to prevent workers being exposed to asbestos

rented sector were being needlessly exposed to asbestos. Ms Griffiths agreed to take action. She has written to all the

chief executives of local authorities and registered social landlords in Wales raising concerns that: ● All workers including contractors

are notified whether asbestos is known to be present in a property before work begins. ● They are cautious about relying on asbestos sample surveys on whether asbestos is present in a property. ● They ensure that workers are properly trained in identifying and dealing with asbestos before work is undertaken. Ms Griffiths also committed the Welsh Labour Government to introduce secondary legislation as part of The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, which already requires landlords to ensure that rented homes are fit for human habitation. This secondary legislation would require landlords to reveal the presence of asbestos which would form part of the assessment of whether a property was fit for human habitation.

Trade unionists have a voice in the press RADE unions and trade unionists often get a rough ride from the British media. Newspapers and broadcasters portray us as out-of-date drags on business and enterprise, as selfish vested interests holding back the economy or as swivel-eyed militants calling industrial action for our own political reasons. We know that’s not a fair picture of what members of UCATT and other unions do, day in, day out. We know that trade unions are busy supporting colleagues who’ve been bullied or harassed, standing up to unscrupulous bosses, making sure everyone has the right to work in a safe environment with the tools they need to do the job, and organising workers, so that by collective action we can achieve things we never could on our own. We all know why the press is so antagonistic to the organisations that stick up for working people – four-fifths of the national newspapers read in this country are owned by just six men. These six men are colossally wealthy, and some don’t even live in this country. Their interests never coincide with the interests of British workers – and their publications reflect this. Their interest is in making money and keeping Tory politicians in power. They decide on the political priorities of their papers – and those priorities are their own self-interest. Unsurprisingly, they don’t like working people standing up to them or their friends in the establishment. The Morning Star is the one publication that is different. A cynic might argue that all newspapers are biased, and that the Morning Star just has a bias to the Left rather than to the Right. But it’s not that simple. We make no claim to be impartial. We are a partisan newspaper, taking the side of

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working people against the rich and powerful who dominate our society, our politics and our media. We are Britain’s only co-operatively owned daily newspaper. We answer not to a rich proprietor but to our readers. Anyone with a share (which costs just £1) can show up at our annual AGM and vote for our management committee, to which I, as the editor, am accountable. And we’re a paper of the labour movement, for the labour movement. In fact, we belong to you – because along with eight other national trade unions, UCATT is a shareholder with a seat on our management committee. This is what makes our paper unique. We are the only national daily to have backed Jeremy Corbyn in the Labour leadership election, and we’re the only one that has been rooting for him and the politics he represents ever since. We’re the only paper that covers industrial issues and disputes from the workers’ point of

view, reporting on the issues that matter to you. Most national publications don’t even cover industrial stories any more. The revival of the left over the last year means we are growing. Why not become a part of it? Order a daily copy from your newsagent, or sign up to our e-edition with an app you can download on your smartphone. Give us a try, and if you like what you read, take a share, have a voice, own your own paper! We’d love to have you on board. ● Written by Ben chacko editor the Morning Star www.morningstaronline.co.uk/

WALES


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Welsh Labour leads the way UcAtt is campaigning for the Welsh Labour party and I ask that you vote Labour on thursday 5th may. currently the Welsh Government is the only part of the UK which is led by Labour and it would be a disaster for Wales if this changes in may. If re-elected the Welsh Labour Party has made the following pledges:  100,000 quality apprenticeships for all ages  Free childcare for working parents  New treatment fund for life threatening illnesses  An extra £100 million to improve school standards  Doubling the capital limit for those going into residential care  Tax cuts for small businesses in Wales. UCATT and Welsh Labour are working closely on proposed Welsh legislation for 2016 to tackle the dangerous issue of asbestos. Following a meeting between UCATT and Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty (with responsibility for housing), Lesley has written to all chief executives of local authorities and registered social landlords in Wales calling for new measures to tackle asbestos handling. She has called for:  Crucial information on asbestos to be passed to workers and contractors doing maintenance work on a tenant’s property before work begins  Caution over relying on sample asbestos surveys which are unreliable  A fully trained workforce which can identify asbestos and act accordingly. This illustrates how Welsh Labour listens and then reacts to the concerns of ordinary workers – and we will continue to do this – not least when it comes to a Tory Government trying to crush trade unions. The Welsh Labour Party has pledged to repeal the Trade Union

In just a few weeks’ time you will have the opportunity to vote in the Welsh Assembly elections. these elections will elect a government for Wales for the next five years and will decide who will run the vital services you rely on.

Bill, if the Tory Government tries to impose it on Wales. The UK Government’s relationship with the trade unions is antagonistic, and the relationship with the public sector workforce in particular is at an alltime low. The opposite is the case in Wales. Relations across the UK will not be improved by the provisions in the UK Government’s Trade Union Bill. This Bill is damaging, divisive and risks undermining public services and the economy. This Welsh Labour Government is opposed to the Trade Union Bill and we will fight it, and work with our trade union colleagues to defeat it or frustrate it in any way we can. The imposition of the Bill in Wales by the UK Government breaches the devolution settlement because public services are devolved in Wales. And what’s more, the leaked letter from the Government Minister at the beginning of February demonstrates that the UK Government’s lawyers actually agree with us that they “have a very weak case” when it comes to Wales. The Welsh Labour Government led the National Assembly for Wales in voting against the motion

to allow the UK Government to legislate on our behalf on various clauses in the Trade Union Bill. These were:  Clause 3 - introducing an additional 40% overall membership support threshold for industrial action in important public services;  Clauses 12 and 13 - enabling reporting requirements and restrictions to be placed on trade union facility time in the public sector; and  Clause 14 - banning ‘check off’ arrangements in the public sector. These provisions relate to the following devolved subject matters:      

Education and training; Fire and rescue services; Health and health services; Highways and transport; Local government; and Public administration.

But clearly all of the Clauses in the Bill will impact on Wales. The Bill is a direct attack on the Labour Party and the way working people have chosen to fund us.

The Welsh Labour Government has already done a great deal of work to prevent the imposition of the Trade Union Bill and we have worked closely with our colleagues in Westminster – especially Labour members of the House of Lords like Eluned Morgan and Peter Hain, to help them to amend this Bill. We have also put pressure on UK Government Ministers through letters, conversations and appearances at a number of Trade Union Bill Committees. But there is still more to do. I give you this guarantee: if the Tories force the Trade Union Bill through, then the next Welsh Labour Government will bring a Bill forward this summer to reverse the Trade Union Bill’s impact in Wales. And we will challenge this Tory Government to take us to the Supreme Court on our Repeal Bill. We will fight this all the way. We are fighting against this Bill, and fighting for the working people of Wales. This is what it means to have a Welsh Labour Government, working with our trade union colleagues, together for Wales. Please give us your vote.  By CARWYN JAMES, First Minister of Wales

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EU REfERENdUm


We are all European: The EU has shown it values and protects workers. You can’t say that of the British Government.

Labour IN for Britain BRItAIN is better off in Europe. It brings us jobs and prosperity, and protects British workers and consumers. When Boris Johnson talks about loss of sovereignty to the EU - he means to dispense with the huge volume of workers’ rights that the EU has given to British and European workers. Boris’ sovereignty would mean a tory Government that would remove these rights. For removal of red tape – read removal of rights for workers says ALAN JOHNsON, former Labour Home secretary and leader of the Labour IN Europe campaign. Labour is campaigning for Britain to stay in Europe because we support working people in Britain ● Britain’s EU membership – via a Labour Government - gave British workers’ rights to minimum paid leave, rights for agency workers, paid maternity and paternity leave, equal pay, anti-discrimination laws, and protection for the workforce when companies change ownership. ● There is a proud Labour tradition of campaigning for Britain in Europe - because it’s good for British jobs, and good for the men and women in those jobs. But it’s not just workers’ rights the EU has extended and protected. Your rights as a consumer have come from the EU. ● The right to return unwanted goods and be promptly refunded ● Refunds processed within 14 days ● If an online purchase is faulty, you have two years to return it ● If you buy online you have a right to prompt delivery ● A two-year guarantee for all online purchases The EU is on the side of ordinary people – and so it protects them. Labour supports these rights. The EU’s Working Time Directive This sounds technical – it isn’t – it’s your basic rights at work, and it came from the EU. The EU’s Working Time Directive gave British workers: ● The right to a minimum 28 days paid holiday each year ● A 20 minute break for every six hours of work ● A rest for at least 11 hours in any 24 hours ● Restrictions on excessive night work ● 24 hours off after seven days of work ● The right to work no more than a 48 hour week It wasn’t until we got the Working Time Directive that the majority of construction workers were guaranteed paid holidays for the first time ever. If we leave the EU and the Tories get back what they call sovereignty – these rights will go. And they will be gone forever.

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Berlin: Credit Norbert Aepli

London: Credit Misterzee

Harmless buffoon or holiday thief? You know the answer Credit Adam Proctor2006

The Tory’s anti-Trade Union Bill shows how the Tories view the British worker. Without the protection of the EU – and the pro-worker ethos of the EU – British workers will be toast. Britain’s EU membership supports jobs and growth ● Britain is a proud trading nation with almost half of our exports going to EU countries– worth £227 billion last year to the UK economy. We receive on average £26.5 billion of investment every year from other EU countries. UK jobs and businesses large and small are dependent on trade with Europe. ● Future EU trade could create 790,000 more jobs by 2030 by opening up markets in digital services, energy and tourism. ● Large companies from all over the world – not just from inside the EU – choose to build their offices and factories in the UK because we are a gateway to the European single market. From car manufacturing to high-tech industry to financial services, inward investment creates vital jobs all over the country. ● Being in the EU means the average family saves around £450 a year due to lower prices, achieved through the strength we derive from being part of the biggest consumer market in the world. Britain’s needs a strong voice at the top table ● Europe is central to jobs and prosperity. Britain needs a strong voice at the top table which decides the rules on everything from free trade to fishing. ● Of course the EU needs reform. But we need to make sure it is reformed so that it works for us – and that means staying in to have a voice, not being spectators. ● If we leave the EU, Britain will still have to follow the EU's rules when we do business there – we just won't have any say in making the rules any more. Countries like Norway which aren't

Paris: Credit Achrafespiranza

part of the EU have to adopt nearly all EU law in return for access to the Single Market – take it or leave it. In an era of billion-person countries, Europe gives Britain an influence we lack when we act alone ● Britain’s EU membership makes us a major player in world trade – as an EU member, we’re part of a market with 500 million consumers which other countries want to do business with. The UK is stronger negotiating deals with countries like China and the USA as part of the EU group of 28 nations than we would be on our own. ● The EU has helped to keep the peace in Europe for decades. Members agree to adhere to common values and respect each other’s borders. At a time of instability in Ukraine and the Middle East, it’s important to be part of a group of nations committed to peace, security and democracy. ● Many of the problems Britain faces today affect other countries too: climate change, terrorism, cross-border crime. We are better off working together with our neighbours to solve these problems rather than pulling out of the EU and weakening our country. But there is still more to do, that’s why Labour is also campaigning to protect the wage levels for skilled workers across Europe. Andy Burnham is campaigning to protect the going rate for skilled workers through action at EU level. By campaigning to protect the wage levels for skilled workers we begin to address the practice of agencies recruiting abroad and bringing workers to this country and undercutting the rates for skilled workers. The EU supports ordinary people. It seeks to protect them, encourage them and nurture bold and open societies. It works for us all – not just for the global companies and the bosses – but the workers who keep Britain going. Both UCATT and the Labour Party say vote in your own interest, your children’s interest and Britain’s interest – vote IN.

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UCATT pEOpLE

Learning is better than football sa

John Clark: now working for UCATT

UcAtt’s new convenor on the UK’s largest road building project, the Aberdeen Western peripheral, already knows a thing or two about striking. ORFAR ATHLETIC football legend, John Clark, is the Loons’ all-time top scorer with 125 goals. These days his goals are slightly different, as he gets to grips with a workforce of around 1,200, across 58km of road building. He says it’s quite a challenge: “Forty per cent of our guys work for umbrella companies. I need to know my agency workers regulations, as the law doesn’t really protect these lads. Luckily, I’ve got five members doing stage one Health and Safety. They’ll be able to give me a hand.” Very few of John’s colleagues know his footballing past. John started his career under the tutelage of Lisbon Lion, Billy McNeil, the first British footballer to hold aloft the European Cup when captaining Celtic. John said: “I never mention what I did in football, unless someone else mentions it. I generally keep the two worlds separate. I was picked up by Aberdeen from a local team called Forfar West End. That Aberdeen team had some great players Gordon Strachan, Steve Archibald, Willie Miller, Doug Rougvie, and the manager was Billy McNeil. I was a striker, in a very orthodox style. I was kind of a jack of all trades. I was quite tall, so I was good in the air, and I had a bit of pace. I was pegged as a striker who often did the unexpected, although I ended up playing in most positions from striker to centre-half for Forfar, even goalie on one occasion when our keeper had to go off.” John has worked in the construction industry for the last decade but before that led something of a dual and extremely busy life,

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split between a full time job and playing semipro football for the Loons. After a year as a full time professional at Aberdeen, John was transferred to Forfar where he also held down a full time job in insurance. He said: “I lived a very hectic life, and it does take you away from the family. One compensation is that because you are very much at the centre of the community, because you play for the local football team, there are lots of social events to attend. I was working five and a half days a week as an insurance broker, training 2 evenings a week and often playing twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The social life is very good around football, which helped me balance work and home life. It was very tiring, but I loved it.” A huge row over his contract with former Scotland International and then Forfar manager Paul Hegarty ended John’s playing career. Hegarty took the Loons into relegation and John, who was now 33-years old, took stock of his life. He said: “I had a smacking great row with Paul Hegarty, in what turned out to be my last year at the club. It was a difference of opinion. I didn’t like the way I was being treated. So, after some thought, I decided to go to university.” John signed up to do a degree in History and Politics at his local university in Dundee. Unusually, he was there at the same time as his two kids. He said: “I loved it. It was better than football and better than insurance. I worked for an agency to put myself through university. I used to bump into both my kids on campus, although my son was still living with me.” The academic life was something the whole family went on to embrace. John’s son is a doctor of philosophy at Portsmouth University and works as a research output

profoundly: “I’d be a different person if I hadn’t gone to university. When I read my first book, The State We’re In by Will Hutton, it was a complete eye-opener. The public at large are consistently being misled by the predominantly right-wing press which skews the truth and consequently manipulates political debate.”

John (middle of back row) with hands on Second Divis title won in Forfar’s history)

After university John had the option to work at Tesco’s full time (he’d been working there via the agency) or go to New Zealand for a year and do some football coaching with his

John scoring with close range strike v Queens Park

officer at Portsmouth University. His daughter lectures in computing at the University of East London. John said going to university changed him

brother. He chose the latter. John said: “New Zealand was brilliant but I wasn’t looking to emigrate. When I came back Tesco’s wouldn’t give me my old job back, so I had to come up

UCATT pEOpLE


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ays Loons legend with a new plan. I was forty eight and needed work. I had a few contacts in the construction industry. I told them I’d take anything. I was just doing general labouring but I really enjoyed it. We did all sorts of projects – schools, flats, renovations, road works. Because I enjoyed it, despite having a degree, I was happy to stay.”

sion Championship trophy in 83/4 (the first league

After Muirfield Contracts went bust, UCATT and their solicitors Dallas McMillan, stepped in and managed to secure the maximum protective award of 90 days’ redundancy from the Government, on the grounds that Muirfield had failed to inform and consult their employees about redundancy, which is a statutory requirement. However as the company is insolvent the payment was made by the Government’s Redundancy Payments Office and capped at eight weeks earnings. John’s involvement at Muirfield helped him secure his position on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route or AWPR. The high-speed dual carriageway is projected to ultimately cost £745m, and is designed to create an alternative route from north to south Aberdeen, bypassing the city. Currently, the only dual carriageway route from north to south is through the city itself, along the original 1930s bypass, Anderson Drive, which is unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles as they cannot cross the Bridge of Dee at its south end. The bypass was first proposed in 1952 and is due to finish in 2018. John’s politics are on the Left. His daughter’s partner was very active in Jeremy Corbyn’s constituency of Islington North in London and John says he’d probably vote for the new Labour leader. But he sees trade unions as being on the frontline in the battle against this trade union-hating Tory Government. John says trade unions are vital to British society. He said: “Trade unions are essential to a civilised society. I do not understand how

John spent nine years at a company called Muirfield Contracts (which had offices in Dundee and Aberdeen) and which eventually became a well-known name in the local media due to its high profile collapse. After joining the company in 2006, after a recommendation by UCATT’s Regional Organiser Steve Dillon, John became aware that the new owner, the now infamous, Thomas John Stodart was an asset stripper and was not acting in the best interests of the company nor its employees. This is when John first became John heading home v Stenhousemuir involved with UCATT. He became the lead activist at Muirfield, working closely with Steve Dillon. He reported what he people, even middle management are not was seeing on a daily basis. He said: “Muirfield members of a trade union. People have come was asset-stripped. I got involved with the to believe this current life is normal. It’s been union about five years before the company dubbed the ‘new normalisation’ by political folded. They had about 300 employees. I writers. People don’t know the protection contacted UCATT to tell them what I thought workers used to have in the 1970s. They just was going to happen to the company. I wasn’t read the Right-wing press and don’t get the a shop steward but I contacted the union truth. Trade unions have to fight for the truth, because of the lack of justice that individuals for the rights of the workers. As trade unions were getting. And as I suspected, the we always have to fight.” company eventually folded.”

John Clark – Forfar Athletic legend

Games played – 460 Goals scored – 125 Positions played - All

Protective awards UCATT secured all Muirfield Contracts’ members’ protective award redundancy packages after the company broke UK law by failing to consult with employees. Protective awards are redundancy payments from the British government if an employer doesn’t pay up. 1 If 20 or more employers are dismissed in a 90 day period without consultation a protective award claim can be made 2 The UK Government pays a maximum of 60 days’ redundancy from the National Insurance Fund 3 You can make a claim if an employer is insolvent 4 Time limit for claiming is 3 months after the last person is made redundant

Agency workers’ rights After 12 weeks in the same job an agency worker is entitled to parity in pay and other basic working conditions (annual leave, rest breaks, etc) with employees doing the same job. This includes pregnant agency workers being allowed to take time off for antenatal appointments during an assignment. For detailed advice call your local UCATT office or regional organiser

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mAYORAL ELECTIONS


Khan do London is at a crossroads - and in just a month, Londoners will go to the polls to decide the future of our great city. HERE is a huge amount at stake in this election - Londoners are being priced out of their own city by the Tory housing crisis and the rising cost of commuting, while the next generation is missing out on the opportunities and helping hand that London gave to me and my family. If we don’t act now, it really could be too late. I am the son of a bus driver, and I grew up on a council estate in South London. It was through my father’s work as a bus driver that I first learned the value of trade unions. Without unions fighting to protect his pay and his conditions at work, life could have been a lot harder for me and my brothers and sister. Unions like UCATT work tirelessly to stop workers like my father from being exploited. It is through your work, in partnership with the Labour Party, that we have secured things such as the right to maternity pay, the right to paid holiday, and the right to withhold your labour. The Tories want to erode those rights, and they want to stop you from being able to do your job properly. As Mayor I will fight to protect your rights at work and I will fight for all the other things that enable you to do your jobs in London, like the London Living Wage and affordable housing where you want to live. UCATT and other unions are doing great work in campaigning for workers to be paid the Living Wage. Nearly 700,000 Londoners are not currently paid the London Living Wage, and now face cuts to tax credits too. Osborne’s new increased minimum wage of £9 an hour would not even be enough for them to live on today, let alone in 2020 when it comes in. I want the Mayor to be given the power to reward businesses that pay the London Living Wage with a cut in their business rates so that as many people as possible can be paid enough to live on. One of the routes into a well-paid job is doing a proper apprenticeship. Construction is a key

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Everyone gets to vote this May… There’s a whole slew of elections across the entire UK this May including: ● National Assembly for Wales ● Northern Ireland Assembly ● Scottish Parliament ● Police and Crime Commissioners ● Local government elections in England ● Mayor of London and London Assembly ● Mayors of Bristol, Liverpool and Salford

Sadiq is a working class Londoner : “I’ll be a Mayor for all Londoners”

area for apprentices and for developing the skills our city needs to get ahead. I also know that we won’t deliver the genuinely affordable homes we need if we don’t have the skilled workforce to build them. All the evidence is that it’s becoming harder to get a decent apprenticeship and UCATT is doing a great job in promoting the need for high-quality apprenticeships. It’s how many of you got started and others should have that opportunity. That’s why I want to work with business and the education sector to make sure there are enough courses and places available in London teaching the right skills to our

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NEARLy 700,000 LONDONERs ARE NOt pAID tHE LONDON LIVING WAGE

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youngsters. I will also take every opportunity to stress the value of a proper apprenticeship. One of my brothers got where he is through an apprenticeship. We need more apprenticeships, particularly in the construction industry. Another issue I will take a lead on as Mayor is housing. The Tories under Boris Johnson and David Cameron have presided over the worst housing crisis in generations and it is London’s workers, particularly those on low wages, who are paying the price. Not enough houses are being built, especially affordable houses, which is leading to escalating rents and house prices. The Government is selling off social and council housing under Right to Buy but those homes are not being replaced. The Tories also want to get rid of secure tenancies on council housing. All this means that UCATT members and other workers will be forced out of our city unless we take urgent action now. This is a particular kick in the

“My top priority as Mayor will be making housing affordable for all Londoners”

teeth for construction workers like you, working on building sites in London at the same time as it’s becoming increasingly unaffordable for you to live here yourselves. I want the money raised in London from Right to Buy to stay in London and be spent on replacement social housing so people can actually afford to live in our city. I will also set up a new team of housing experts in City Hall called ‘Homes for Londoners’. They will fast track the building of genuinely affordable homes to rent and buy. I also want to put fairness at the heart of everything the London Mayor does. I will set up a new Fairness Team at City Hall, tasked with promoting fair pay, good working conditions, and access to opportunity for all Londoners. It will focus on increasing the number of Londoners paid the London Living Wage, increasing the number of apprenticeships and training schemes offered by employers, preventing bad employment practices, and promoting collective bargaining. In particular, on blacklisting, I would like to take this opportunity to back UCATT’s campaign. It’s a scandal that never should have happened and I wish you all the success in getting the justice that those affected deserve. I’m determined to help as mayor and will do what I can to prevent it and other bad employment practices across the city. Finally, I want to thank you, UCATT, for your backing both in my selection as Labour’s Mayoral candidate and in fighting Zac Goldsmith. I know that together we can make London a better, fairer place to live and work.


AppRENTICEShIpS

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Undermining Construction Barckley sumner reveals construction’s miserable failure to train apprentices HERE is something rotten in construction. Our industry relies on the apprentice system to train the workers of tomorrow. Without apprentices we won’t have a workforce. Given those stark facts you would think that it is in the best interests of employers to train apprentices. In fact the opposite is true. For decades the industry has been training too few workers to meet its needs. That’s why as soon as construction emerged from the recession, skills shortages appeared. Official figures reveal the scale of the problem. In their annual construction forecast the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) revealed that the industry needs 46,400 new entrants every year for the next five years. That figure is relatively modest. When the industry was booming - prior to the 2008 recession - the CITB forecast was for 75,000 new entrants. But what’s actually happening on site? In England there were just 8,030 construction apprentices who successfully completed their courses in 2013/14 (the most recent figures). And it’s not like there are huge numbers of apprentices in the pipeline. In 2014/15 there were just 18,140 apprentices undertaking training of any sort. In addition, the quality of that training leaves much to be desired. UCATT believes that an NVQ Level 3 is the benchmark needed to become a fully skilled craft worker. Yet employers continually try to erode the skills in the industry and many are not prepared to fund training beyond NVQ Level 2. Workers are qualified but are less likely to undertake challenging work or plan how work is undertaken. Of the 8,030 apprentices who qualified in 2013/14 just under 6,000 (5,980) achieved an intermediate award (NVQ Level 2), just over 2,000 (2,030) achieved an advanced level award (NVQ 3) and a handful (10) achieved a higher apprenticeship NVQ Level 4. Logic would also suggest that the greater the level of work in a region the higher the number of apprentices but like many areas of this industry, logic has nothing to do with it. London is by far the busiest region with 22% of the UK construction output but in 2014/15 it was training just 6.95% of apprentices. In the same year the highest number of apprentices were being trained in the North West where 16.93% were receiving training. It should be recognised that Scotland has a better record of training apprentices through the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC), which has a proper framework and closer union involvement in training. The SABTC currently recruits over 1,300 apprentices a year and unlike the rest of the UK,

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apprenticeship training in Scotland is usually for four years to Level 3. Skills shortages are set to get worse. The industry has an aging workforce with 19% of the workforce over 55 years old and due to the heavy physical toil on the body, many workers are forced to leave the industry before they reach pensionable age. Having outlined the problems facing construction apprentices – to quote Vladimir Lenin - What is to be Done? Thankfully at this stage a violent revolution is probably unnecessary. Simple common sense solutions could make an enormous difference. In construction the biggest client is the Government and the public sector. If public procurement rules were introduced that required companies to train apprentices to win contracts, there would be an overnight increase in apprenticeships.

STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION The main obstacle to this approach is our Rightwing Tory Government which simply does not believe in intervention. This thinking was underlined when Labour MP Steve Rotheram recently asked a parliamentary question about how many apprentice-starts the Department of Business was forecasting for the construction industry in 2016. Minister Nicholas Boles MP replied: “The Department does not produce forecasts for apprenticeship starts. Apprenticeships are paid jobs and their availability is dependent on employers offering opportunities and hiring apprentices.” Or in other words we will sit idly by and do nothing. Despite the gloom, earlier this year a chink of light appeared in the Government’s refusal to force companies to train apprentices. It was

Recent apprentices: We need a lot more of them

announced that companies bidding for future rail and highways projects would be required to train apprentices. Depending on the contract, for every £3 million or £5 million spent, one apprenticeship should be created. This is a tentative first step in the right direction. Apprentice training is a devolved power so there is nothing stopping the Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland introducing public procurement rules. Equally when other public bodies such as councils and health trusts tender contracts, apprenticeship training needs to be part of the deal. Councils could further use their planning powers to require developers to train apprentices. This would be through a so-called Section 106 Agreement, which is an agreed planning gain for the local community. Training local youngsters is an excellent form of community enhancement. The problem with all these solutions is that there has been a lack of political will and sadly it was something that the previous Labour Government failed to properly consider until its final years in office. In order to ensure that our industry has a workforce which meets the UK’s needs, it is the responsibility of all regions and activists to continue lobbying for companies to recruit apprentices and when they don’t, for our politicians to make them. Without an adequate workforce our industry will go into decline. Barckley sumner is UCATT Head of Communications, Politics and Campaigns

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pENSIONS


£3 billion of forgotten pension savings – is some of it yours? that’s right. Billions of pounds are sitting in millions of dormant pension accounts waiting to be claimed. If you’ve changed jobs several times or moved house and lost important paperwork, some of this money may be yours. ANDREW pERcy explains

multiple employers can lead to multiple pensions T’S VERY easy to lose track of your pensions when you move from one employer to another. Each time you start a new job, you may have started a new pension. Working in the construction industry, you’re likely to work for a number of employers, meaning you could have built up a series of pension pots - some of which you may have forgotten about. In fact, Age UK estimate that nearly one in four adults in the UK have lost track of at least one pension. And it’s even more likely to happen to younger workers with over a third of those aged 18-44 already having lost track of a pension. Hardly surprising when you read that the Department for Work and Pensions estimate that on average, people hold down 11 jobs in a lifetime.

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to provide them with as many details as possible, including: • Your pension account number • Your date of birth • Your National Insurance number • The date your pension was set up or the name of the employer you worked for at the time.

B&cE is a good place to start B&CE have been pension providers to the construction industry for over 30 years. So if you think you may have a forgotten workplace pension, it’s possible B&CE could be the pension provider. Over the years, they’ve provided pensions

Tracking down a pension with B&CE is easy. You can simply give them a call at their award winning UK call centre or email them. And if you find you do have a pension pot sitting dormant, they’ll explain all your options in plain English. They’ll talk to your partner too if you don’t want to contact them yourself. Call B&CE on 0300 2000 555 Email: [email protected]

No paperwork? Don’t give up It doesn’t matter if you don’t have any relevant paperwork or even the name of the pension provider, just get in touch with your former employers. They should be able to tell you whether you were part of a workplace pension and let you have the pension provider’s contact details.

savings that add up An employer sets up a workplace pension as a way to help you save for your retirement. Money is usually taken from your pay packet and paid into the pension each week or month. Your employer may also contribute. Some employers pay into a pension on your behalf without you having to make contributions, so it’s possible you don’t even know you have some pension savings. When you change jobs, the money already in your pension account usually stays invested until you retire. This money belongs to you and over time may grow to provide a useful amount of savings. So a bit of detective work can pay dividends. After all, if you had a winning lottery ticket, you’d claim it, even if you had to search high and low to find it.

tracing lost pensions There are several ways to find a lost pension. The first thing to do is go back through all your paperwork. Pension companies usually send out a statement each year telling you how much is in your pension. If you find paperwork relating to a pension, but you’re not receiving statements, it’s possible that the pension provider no longer has your current address. In this case, contact the pension provider and update your records. Try

Think back to previous jobs where you may have had a pension Credit Martin Kraft

called EasyBuild, the TUTMAN B&CE Contractedout Pension, Lump sum retirement benefit, and their current pension scheme, The People’s Pension. By Andrew Percy, Federation and Union Relationship Manager at the B&CE More information Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk Pensions Advisory Service: www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk Pension Tracing Service: www.gov.uk/findlost-pension

There are tens of millions of pounds owed to widows of workers who have lost track of their spouse’s pension pots. If your spouse died before taking their pension, you may be entitled to some of their savings.

pension tracing service If it’s not possible to get in touch with your former employers, you can contact the Pension Tracing Service. This is a free service, provided by the government that searches a database of 200,000 workplace and personal pensions to try to find the contact details you need. In 2014, over 145,000 people used the service to locate lost pensions .

Valuable boost to your retirement savings If you think it’s too much bother tracing your lost pensions, think again. When Mr Elston, a UCATT member called, he was amazed to find he had £9,000 in a pension he might not have received without UCATT’s help. Mr Elston said: “Without UCATT I would have lost my pension. This shows the importance of being a member of the specialist construction union UCATT.” Call the Pension Tracing Service on 0845 600 2537 or visit www.gov.uk/find-lost-pension.

hEALTh


N 2013, Time to Change, England’s biggest mental health anti-stigma campaign, asked supporters why men don’t talk about mental health. The response that came up time and time again was that men don’t want to be seen as weak. But should mental illness be seen as a weakness? Mental health problems are common, with 1 in 4 people experiencing them in any given year. So why are we treating our mental health like it’s something to be embarrassed about? Traditional gender roles have a lot to answer for. The image of the strong, silent, tough guy is so widespread that often men are unwilling to speak out and seek support. Research by Mind, one of the charities behind the Time to Change campaign, found that one in three men said they would be embarrassed about seeking help for a mental health problem and less than a quarter of men would visit their GP if they felt down for more than two weeks, in comparison to a third of women. At Time to Change we aim to

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sHOULD mENtAL ILLNEss BE sEEN As WEAKNEss?

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show that mental health isn’t something to be embarrassed about or feared. Having a conversation about the subject can strengthen friendships, aid recovery, break down stereotypes and take the taboo out of something that affects us all. Aaron Watson, a Fire Fighter from Manchester, was diagnosed with depression in 2015. He said: “I haven’t told any of my friends, only my family and my psychiatrist know. One of the honest reasons being that if I did tell them, they probably wouldn’t believe me. If you were to observe my friends and me in day-to-day life or whilst out on a night out, I’d be the last person you’d think to get depression. I was always the one having a joke, first on the dance floor, chatting away to people, the boisterous and extrovert one.” Mental health doesn’t discriminate; you might be a man, you might be a tough guy but you might also experience a mental health problem at some point in your life. And if that happens, it’s ok to say you’re not ok. Aaron says

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Why is it so hard for men to talk about mental health?

“I’ve now come to terms with the fact that I have depression, which really was hard to accept, and as a man in particular there is a lot of pride to swallow and demons, telling you that you have failed.” After speaking to us, Aaron shared his story with The Lad Bible, an online publication, which reaches millions of people - a majority men - each time they post. The response to Aaron’s article was overwhelming. To date, his story has been shared over 10,000 times and in the comments section hundreds of men opened up about their own experiences, ‘I’ve been there’, ‘Me too’, ‘You’re not alone’. Oli Regan says the phrase “man up” was ingrained into him from a young age and it stopped him from talking about his mental health to friends and family. “I was incredibly down and decided to open up to my dad. He told me to “man up” as “young men shouldn’t be talking about their feelings” and as a result, I kept my thoughts to myself. This made things worse and it wasn’t until I tried to take my own life years later that I actually addressed the problem with anyone else.” Thankfully, Oli survived but he isn’t alone. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 40 and out of the 6,000 suicides in the UK each year, three quarters are men. Every day, 13 families lose a father, a son, a brother, or a partner to suicide. If we can end the silence around men’s mental health, we can help reduce these devastating statistics. Talking about your own mental

health doesn’t need to be difficult or scary but if you aren’t sure how to broach the topic, there are some things to keep in mind. ● Be prepared: Think about the different reactions, positive and negative, that the person might have so you’re prepared. The person will be thinking about their perception of mental illness, you as a person and how the two fit together. ● Choose a good time: Choose a time and place when you feel comfortable and ready to talk. ● Be ready for lots of questions...or none: The person you are talking to might have lots of questions or need further information to help them understand. Or they might

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sUIcIDE Is tHE BIGGEst KILLER OF mEN UNDER tHE AGE OF 40

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feel uncomfortable and try to move the conversation on – if this happens it’s still helpful that the first step has been taken. ● An initial reaction might not last: The person might initially react in a way that’s not helpful – maybe changing the subject, or responding with unhelpful advice or clichés rather than listening. But give them time - it might be the first time they've ever had a conversation about mental health. ● Have some information ready: Sometimes people find it easier to

find out more in their own time. You might want to download some information from the Time to Change website. ● Keep it light: We know that sometimes people are afraid to talk about mental health because they feel they don’t know what to say or how to help. So keeping the conversation light will help make you both feel relaxed. ● Courage is contagious: Often once mental health is out in the open people want to talk. Don’t be surprised if your honesty encourages other people to talk about their own experiences. Equally, if you’re looking out for a friend, there are lots of simple, everyday ways you can support someone who has a mental health problem. Small things can make a big difference – like being there to listen, keeping in touch and reminding the other person that you care. You don't need to be an expert to talk to someone with a mental health problem. And it's often the small things you do and say that can make a big difference to someone – like asking “How are you?” or dropping them a text to say hello. ● The Time to Change campaign,

run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, is looking for more men like Aaron and Oli to share their experiences of mental health problems. If you’re interested, please email [email protected] for more information.

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LEGAL

ADVIcELINE Topical tips on issues raised on UCATT’s adviceline

Spying bosses alert: take care on social media ECENTLY a UCATT member was saved by this union from being sacked after posting offensive comments on Facebook. The issue of members writing imprudent comments on social media is of growing concern to the union and its officials, and is worth examining here – because it is a syndrome that is easily remedied.

R

In simple terms, the remedy is – don’t do it – because it could cost you your job. It’s easy to understand why people get into trouble posting poorly thought out comments online because the Internet and social media – which includes Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - are casual places. They are environments where people are relaxed, chatty and often forthright in their opinions. And this is where the problems arise. While sitting quietly at your computer or smart phone, reading something that makes you angry, it is all too easy to react off the cuff. You’re sitting on your own, it feels like there’s no one around you, and that you’re just expressing an opinion that will flash onto a few computer screens somewhere – who knows where - and then will disappear forever. This isn’t how the internet works. And let’s face it, you already know this. So wise up. Look at it this way. Posting on social media is like expressing your opinion to a large crowd. So before you press the button, imagine if you’d like those comments you’ve just written echoing round a large hall of a thousand or so people, people who don’t know you’re the nicest person in the world. You could also imagine those comments on a billboard 20 feet high, in your high street, for the next 20 years. Because that’s what the internet is like. Information once posted hangs around for years and years, long since you’ve stopped being angry about whatever you were writing about. Some of you may have googled construction issues online and seen replies on internet forums coming up from 10 or 15 years ago. Recent figures show that in 2014, in 169 local authorities, 51 council workers were suspended for what they said on social media although the majority were not sacked. However, the figure is likely to be higher, as 49 councils didn’t supply data. So think about. Social media can be fun. But it can also be like going up to the boss and repeatedly shouting and swearing in his face. And you know that won’t play well. Another facet of social media use is online bullying. If you suffer anything approaching online harassment or bullying via text, social media or email, contact your shop or regional office. The internet is a valuable tool for everyone – just remember what it isn’t – and that’s tomorrow’s chip paper.


Interference by Human Re in Disciplinary proceeding Gordon Bell of UcAtt’s scottish solicitors Dallas mcmillan writes An important decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal in 2015 (Ramphal v. Department of Transport) was recently left unchallenged by employers when they abandoned an appeal against the EAT decision and settled the employee’s claim. In this case the employer had been suspicious that Mr. Ramphal (Mr. R) had misused his credit card and claimed excessive travel expenses. It raised disciplinary proceedings against him. The manager handling the proceedings sought and was given guidance by the Human Resources Department of the employers in the course of the process. At the end of the disciplinary process the employee was dismissed. Mr. R claimed unfair dismissal. At the initial Tribunal Hearing it transpired that the manager had prepared a number of different draft reports of his findings and decision. Between these drafts he had been given advice from HR on a variety of areas. Apparently as a result of this HR advice through the various redrafts of his report, the manager had changed his position from (a) his original report, where he found that the credit card use was not deliberate and that the employee’s explanations regarding the expenses claims had been

The EAT have ruled that HR can’t influence

plausible (a “partly critical” view which in his opinion should lead to a final written warning), to (b) his final report – where he determined that the employee had knowingly misused the credit card (a view which lead to a finding of gross misconduct and dismissal of the employee). The initial Tribunal nonetheless dismissed Mr. R’s claim. He appealed to the EAT. After hearing the appeal, the EAT held that it was “disturbing to note the dramatic change in [the Manager’s] approach after intervention by Human Resources.” It found that the Manager had been (wrongly) advised by Human Resources in the course of the process “that dishonesty was not a necessary ingredient of gross misconduct”,

GOING FROM STRENGTH T It’s been a very busy and exciting time for OH Parsons over the last 10 months. We have taken up residency in new offices in Slough, Berkshire, and this year, we are celebrating 70 years as legal representatives of the trade union and Labour movement, writes Hannah tillyer In 1946, a year after the end of WW2, a union solicitor and socialist, Owen Parsons set up a practice under the name of OH Parsons. He ran the practice until the early 1980s, acting solely for unions and their members. Upon Owen Parsons’ retirement, Paul Stanley became senior partner and continued the tradition of Mr Parsons’ representation of union members. The firm was right at the heart of the labour movement during the mid-80s, when the miners went on strike. OH Parsons acted on behalf of the Nottinghamshire NUM members, supporting them during a time of great political turmoil, as British

LEGAL CASE STUDIES

esources ngs

● A 62 year-old Inverclyde painter was held by a tribunal following an evidence hearing to have been unfairly dismissed by his private sector employer, and full settlement was subsequently obtained of £24,000 for the member. Following the evidence hearing, the tribunal had ruled that the employer had failed to take into account the member’s disability when carrying out its redundancy process and as a result had not only discriminated against him but had also dismissed him unfairly. ● Two groups of members were successful at employment tribunal in their “protective award” claims after their private sector employers failed to consult with them prior to announcing mass redundancies. 131 former employees of the company, along with 18 former employees of a linked company, were each awarded the maximum tribunal protective award of 90 days. As the employers are insolvent, the tribunal awards will be paid out by the Government’s Redundancy Payments Office under a statutory “safety net” scheme, subject to an unfortunate statutory cap of 8 weeks’ pay per member. ● A painter unfortunately passed away from asbestos-related mesothelioma, however not until we had successfully settled his compensation claim in full for him against his local authority employer in the sum of £202,000. Following the member’s death, we pursued a second set of claims on behalf of the late member’s widow, three sisters and son. Each claim was settled in full, the aggregate further compensation totalling just under £150,000.

Legal Services to Scottish Members, Families and Friends

e the outcome of a disciplinary hearing. Mattes

when it is essential in a case involving theft or fraud. It was noted by the EAT that at the original Tribunal, the manager had not explained what had caused him to take a considerably more critical view of Mr. R’s behaviour, if it had not been the undue influence of advice from Human Resources. The Employment Tribunal upheld Mr. R’s appeal. It stated that the manager was quite entitled to ask for help from HR on issues of procedure and on legal issues, but was not entitled to receive guidance on the employee’s culpability, nor entitled to obtain advice from HR on the choice of sanction to impose on the employee. The EAT decided to send the case back to the original

19

Employment Tribunal for it to decide again in the case This decision of the EAT last year was initially appealed by the employer, however it recently abandoned the appeal and settled the claim with Mr. R. This leaves the important guidance of the EAT in the Ramphal case in place. It is clear from the Ramphal case, therefore, that HR must limit their involvement in disciplinary proceedings to advising only on procedure, on legal issues and (probably) on the level of sanction to ensure consistency with previous disciplinary decisions. HR must not become involved in deciding the extent of culpability of the employee, otherwise a decision to dismiss may well be held to be unfair.

TO STRENGTH SINCE 1946! miners came under ferocious attack from the Thatcher government. Other more recent notable cases that OH Parsons worked on include the Gate Gourmet workers and BASSA Cabin Crew members of British Airways, with their employment grievances. The firm also ran the notorious Fairchild litigation case which re-established the right of a substantial number of workers to claim compensation for mesothelioma, a terrible illness derived from exposure to asbestos. Over the years of the firm’s continued growth, it has shown a firm commitment to political areas of work being involved with the Labour Party, and international campaigns such as the Justice for Colombia and the Cuba Solidarity Campaign. OH Parsons supported UCATT in its campaign against Phoenix companies which go into administration to avoid paying damages after a construction worker’s death. Following our joint work with UCATT, the Labour Party has pledged to stop the practice, when it

Members will probably know that if they have been a member of UCATT for three months then they are entitled to free legal representation from Dallas McMillan for accident at work (or for any industrial condition or disease) through UCATT’s Legal Aid Scheme. Members should obtain a Legal Aid Schedule form from the local Branch Secretary or official or from Scottish Regional Office (0141 420 2880). Members who wish to discuss a possible claim under the Legal Aid Scheme should not hesitate to contact either the Scottish Regional Office, or alternatively Gordon Bell, Partner and Head of Litigation at Dallas McMillan (0141 333 6750). The sooner the claim is raised the better, and of course

there will be no cost whatsoever to the member. Members should also be aware that even if their accident is not covered by UCATT’s Legal Aid Scheme (eg if it is not an accident at work) Dallas McMillan will pursue their claim for them on a no-win, no-fee basis, with the member receiving 100% of compensation recovered. Furthermore, the Scheme for accidents (and most industrial diseases) not covered by UCATT’s Legal Aid Scheme extend to members’ families and wherever possible, even to their friends. If you or your family members/friends would like to discuss no-win, no-fee compensation for any kind of accident or industrial disease , then please phone Gordon Bell at Dallas McMillan who will be happy to discuss the case.

gets into power, by enabling the Health and Safety Executive to freeze a company’s assets. Over the years we have established ourselves as specialists in personal injury, employment law and clinical negligence, and have continued always, to work for the needs of trade unionists. We provide bespoke training on specialist aspects of law to union representatives, with an on-going commitment to help trade unions and meet the needs of their members. 70 years on, OH Parsons remains committed to the ideals of the Labour movement, the protection of employees, and the everchanging challenges of the 21st century workplace. Our aim, has been and will always be, to support trade unions with legal expertise for the benefit of their members. In a period of rapid technological change and political hostility to workers, OH Parsons reaffirms its commitment to trade unions, workers and the Labour movement. Here’s to the next 70 years… You can see our work on our website at www.ohparsons.co.uk on Twitter @OHPLaw and Facebook on OHParsonsLLP


BRANCh NEWS

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■■■■■■■■■■■ PRESENTATIONS ■■■■■■■■■■■

New Year – New Claim Forget the first of January, the only new year that really matters to construction workers is the new financial year on 6th April. Why? Because it’s a chance to claim another tax refund. ROBERt pARKER, Business Development manager at RIFt tax Refunds, explains how. ONSTRUCTION workers have cause to celebrate as each tax year draws to a close – because it means they can claim back any tax they’ve overpaid during the year. If it seems like a bit of a non-event, perhaps that’s because so many still don’t realise they’re owed this money. But here at RIFT, it’s like a reunion. It’s great to see clients coming back to us year after year – and leaving with a big cheque and a smile on their face! So how do you join the party? If, like most construction workers, you work on different temporary sites and don’t get paid the full cost of your travel, you could have a claim. It doesn’t matter whether you’re employed PAYE, or on the construction industry scheme (CIS), we can still make a claim. If you’re employed PAYE and you haven’t claimed before we can look at the last four tax years and get you a refund that could be around £2,500. After your first claim, you’re looking at £600-800 per year, every year, all the time you’re eligible. If you’re CIS, average annual refunds are around £2,000. Plus, we take all the pain out of getting your tax return done. It’s a win/win situation. Here at RIFT, we’re the experts in construction industry tax refunds. Last year the team handled over £23 million worth of tax refunds for more than 17,000 construction workers. But we know there are lots more out there who aren’t claiming what they’re owed. We know the rules inside out and we talk to HMRC on your behalf – taking away all the hassle. What’s more, if you have any questions about tax at any time after your refund, we’re here to help. So why wait any longer to claim for the 2015-16 tax year? The sooner you start claiming, the more money you’ll get. You’re bound to have plans for this year, whether it’s a new car, taking a holiday or some DIY at home. Let RIFT help you finance them. PAYE employee William from London now uses RIFT to make his claim every year. “I got my first lot of money at the end of March, then in April RIFT told me that because it was a new tax year, I could claim again. I was very impressed with the service, especially the second time around, within 2 or 3 days it was in my bank. “Even better, I found I could claim again this year, and all I had to do was send in my RIFT log book and my P60, end of story. I’m already putting all my sites in my book for next year. It’s nice to see it coming in each year, it gives me plenty of extra to spend on my grandkids. I just wish I’d done it sooner now!” If you need your money in a hurry, use our RIFT Rapid Refund service and get your refund paid in 24 hours (terms and conditions apply). We even guarantee your claim, meaning that if HMRC query it and ask for money back, we’ll cover it. UCATT members receive a discounted fee: 25% + VAT for PAYE and £220 + VAT for CIS

C

● call today for your free assessment on 01233 653973 or text RIFt UcAtt to 80010

UNItED WE stAND: The handsome contingent from UCATT North West region having attended the last night of the United We Stand theatre production at St Michael’s Irish Centre in Liverpool. The well-known play documents the plight of the Shrewsbury 24 and particularly the story of Ricky Tomlinson and Des Warren.

Mr R Bradley (left) proudly receiving his 40-year membership certificate from John Crowther, Branch President of Wolverhampton Branch UE191.

Mr P Moses of North Shields 3rd Branch UB074 was recently awarded his 40-year membership certificate, having first joined UCATT in 1975. Mr Moses is 83 years old and although not in the best of health, was thrilled to get the award, as he’s still a fervent supporter of UCATT and trade unions.

■■■■■■■■■■■■■ OBITUARIES ■■■■■■■■■■■■■ It is with great sadness that Northern Regional Chairman Alex Nichol has to report the death in December 2015 of Brother Alfie O’Neill. 79-year-old Mr O’Neil, a former joiner, had been a UCATT member of the North Shields branch for 62 years. Mr Nichol said: “For many years he was the branch secretary, served on the regional council during the mid-1990’s, and represented the region many times as our black delegate. Alfie was a true trade unionist and even at the time of his death was a popular member at UCATT’s Tyne & Wear retired members’ association.”

Join the May Day festivities Join the May Day festivities in Barnsley, South Yorkshire at an all-day event celebrating International Workers Day and the 125th Anniversary of Barnsley Trades Council. From 12 Noon on May 1 till 10pm at night at the Barnsley Rock and Blues Venue (Polish Club) Barnsley, S75 2BA. There will be 14 acts with bands, poets and speakers, across two stages, tickets only £10.

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INTERNATIONAL

European initiatives to reduce workplace cancer deaths Unions across Europe are working with the Dutch Presidency of the European Union to cut workplace cancer deaths. The Dutch Government whose Presidency runs from January to June, has expressed a desire to update the European Union Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive. In the UK, construction workers are at greatest risk of developing workplace cancers and reductions in exposure levels to carcinogenic substances, which if effectively policed, will reduce deaths. Meanwhile the European confederation of construction unions, the EFBWW, is stepping up their campaign for the European Union in taking action to prevent workers being exposed to asbestos. It is estimated that asbestos exposure is linked to 47,000 deaths across the EU every year. In particular, the EFBWW believes that action being taken to improve energy conservation should be linked to the safe removal of asbestos.


Canadian call for asbestos register

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is considering reforming European cancer rules Credit Jeroen Komen

The importance of these initiatives is supported in a recent article by Christopher Wild, the head of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. He believes that 40 to 50 per cent of cancers could be prevented if the knowledge about how cancers are caused is translated into effective prevention. Mr Wild, said: “Prevention and early detection demonstrably work. Estimates of the costs of implementing cancer prevention strategies are difficult to make, but are certainly a fraction of the costs of dealing with the consequences of the occurrence of these same cancers.”

Philip Venoit, President of Vancouver Island Building and Construction Trades Council, has called for the creation of an online national registry of asbestos material. He made his call after the number of mesothelioma deaths in Canada virtually doubled from 276 in 1992 to 560 in 2012. He believes that the register should provide information on all forms of asbestos, where it is and how it should be removed. The registry would be available to all construction and maintenance workers. He has also called for a national apprenticeship training scheme which would include training on how to work safely with asbestos. Mr Venoit, said: “We are on the eve of a mass retirement with a new generation of workers who know very little of the harmful effects asbestos exposure can cause.”

Jailing of killer boss welcomed Meanwhile, Canadian union leaders have welcomed the jailing of a Canadian construction manager, following the death of four construction workers, as it shows that safety laws now have real teeth. Vadim Kazenelson was sentenced to three and a half years in jail after four workers were

companies cashing in on Qatar hell A report by the International Trade Union Confederation has found that companies involved in building the infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are set to make a profit of £10.2 billion. Construction in Qatar is undertaken by 1.8 million migrant workers who are forced to work excessive hours six days a week in temperatures up to 40 degrees and live in filthy accommodation with up to 12 workers to a room. Safety is appalling and it is estimated that 7,000 workers will die in Qatar before a ball is kicked at the World Cup.

Canada has recently sent its first killer boss to prison Credit Tony Webster

killed and one was critically injured, when they fell 13 storeys from scaffolding outside a Toronto apartment store on Christmas Eve 2009. The conviction was

the first time that a new law introduced in 2004, that imposed criminal liability on individuals and organisations that don’t take reasonable steps to prevent their workers being killed or injured, was fully used. Chris Buckley, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour, said: “Justice has been served. It sends a strong message, and employers should have shivers up their spine today.”

Tighter silica rules edge closer in United States

Thousands of construction workers will die building properties in Qatar including in the capital Doha Credit Jawlolie

uuItalian managers charged over asbestos deaths

President Obama is receiving calls to sign a new stricter law on Silica exposure

Seventeen former managers of Italian electronics firm Olivetti are on trial for manslaughter following 14 confirmed deaths of workers at the company since 2005, due to asbestosrelated diseases. The deaths all occurred at a factory in Ivrea, a town in Piedmont. Among those on trial include Franco De Benedetti who is currently President of scooter manufacturer Piaggio and was President of Olivetti between 1978 and 1996.

Credit Peter Souza

uuArgentinian ceramics workers laid off The global federation of construction unions, The Building and Woodworkers International, has called on members to protest at the dismissal of 120 workers by the Belgian Company Etex Eternit Group at its Argentinian subsidiary Ceramicas San Lorenzo. The decision to close two sections of the Azul plant will lead to an impact on wages and inferior working conditions. It is feared that experienced older workers will be replaced by younger workers with fewer benefits.

The Obama Administration is edging closer to introducing rules which would further prevent workers being exposed to silicia dust. The White House is currently deciding on giving final approval to new rules which would halve the maximum safe exposure to silica to 0.05mg/m(cubed). The existing maximum exposure level of 0.1mg/m(cubed) is the same as the maximum workplace exposure level in the United Kingdom.

UNION OF CONSTRUCTION, ALLIED TRADES & TECHNICIANS Website

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UcAtt weekly contribution rates ■ Craft £2.97 ■ General £2.71 ■ Northern Ireland: Craft £2.77, General £2.59 ■ Apprentice rate £1.85 for CIJC, local authority or SABTC course, otherwise £1 Applicants in the Republic of Ireland should contact the Dublin office (see left) for contribution details

Join online at www.ucatt.org.uk

UNION OF CONSTRUCTION, ALLIED TRADES & TECHNICIANS FREEPOST, 177 Abbeville Road, London SW4 9RL

Call our 24 Hour Advice Line

0800 526 368 It’s your accident, shouldn’t it be your compensation? Use your UCATT Legal Services and get: FREE Expert Representation for Accident Claims (inside and outside of work) and get 100% of your compensation. FREE Expert Representation for Industrial Disease Claims and get 100% of your compensation. FREE Will for UNION Member. Reduced Rate Family Law. Reduced Costs for Probate Call for friendly advice on 0800 526 368 or email [email protected]

UCATT Members get 100% Compensation from Disease Claims If you or any member of your family have unfortunately suffered from a work related disease or condition, we can help support you. Call for friendly advice on 0800 526 368 or email [email protected]

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