WorkerUCATT

UnionofConstructionAlliedTrades&Technicians

BuildingAUTUMN 2012

BREAKTHROUGHATPAYTALKSEmployersconcede12-monthdealliftingWorkingRuleAgreementratesby2percent

Weekly contribution ratesCraft £2.66 General£2.41 Apprentice£1.68

Applicants inNorthern Ireland/Republic of Ireland should contact theDublin office (seeright) for contributiondetails

ApplicationformembershipofBritain’sspecialistconstructionunion�

Websitewww.ucatt.org.uk

Freephoneadviceline0800-262467

BuildingWorkerbuildingworker@ucatt.org.uk

GeneralOffice177AbbevilleRoad,LondonSW49RLTel:020-76222442Email: info@ucatt.org.ukFax:020-77204081

Scotland53MorrisonStreet,GlasgowG58LBTel:0141-4202880Email:aadmin@ucatt.org.ukFax:0141-4202881

NorthernSeymourHouse,10BrenkleyWay,NewcastleuponTyneNE136DTTel:0191-2362636Email:badmin@ucatt.org.ukFax:0191-2362653

Yorkshire64/66CrossGatesRoad,LeedsLS157NNTel:0113-2640211Email:cadmin@ucatt.org.ukFax:0113-2602908

NorthWest56DerwentRoadEast,LiverpoolL136QRTel:0151-2288455Email:dadmin@ucatt.org.ukFax:0151-2287735

Midlands2WentworthHouse,VernonGate,DerbyDE11URTel:01332-203Email:eadmin@ucatt.org.ukFax:01332-203858

EasternGoodwinHouse,WillieSnaithRoad,NewmarketCB87SQTel:01638-565830Email: fadmin@ucatt.org.ukFax:01638-565836

London&SouthEast177AbbevilleRoad,LondonSW49RLTel:020-76222362Email:gadmin@ucatt.org.ukFax:020-74985272

Wales&SouthWest199NewportRoad,CardiffCF241AJTel:029-20498664Email:hadmin@ucatt.org.ukFax:029-20481166

Ireland56ParnellSquareWest,Dublin1Tel:(+353)(0)1-8731599Email: iadmin@ucatt.org.ukFax:(+353)(0)1-8731403

UnionofConstruction,AlliedTrades&Technicians

JOINYOURUNIONThe union for all workers in theconstruction and building trades

UCATTis steppingup its campaigntostampoutblack-listing by taking a test case to the European Court ofHumanRights.

The union has lodged a complaint with the Stras-bourg-based court on behalf of one its members, argu-ing that the failure of the UK Government to outlawblacklistingbreachedhishumanrights.

The submission argues that the Government’s atti-tude breached the European Convention on HumanRights, underArticle 11on freedomof association andArticle14onanti-discrimination.

Bytheendofthisyear, thecourtis expected to invite the UK Gov-ernment to make an initial com-ment about the union’s argu-ments, in the first stage of what ispotentiallya long legalprocess.

UCATT General Secretary SteveMurphy said: “The lives of con-struction workers and their fami-lies were wrecked by blacklisting.UCATT remains absolutely com-mittedtowinningjusticeforblack-listed workers. That is why we aretakingthisbattletoEurope.”

Steve Cottingham, a partner atOHParsons,thelawyersrepresent-

ing blacklisted UCATT members, said: “Both the Gov-ernmentandjudicial systemhave failed toprovide jus-tice for blacklisted workers. The only other legalrecoursewastolodgeacasewiththeEuropeanCourtofHumanRights.”

Over 40 construction contractors were linked to asecret organisation known as the Consulting Associa-tionthatwasexposed inFebruary2009tobeoperatingablacklistofmore than3,000constructionworkers.

This followed an investigation by the InformationCommissioner’s Office, the offi-cial body that monitors breachesof privacy. Although the contrac-torswereunlawfullysharinginfor-mation about individual workers,none of the companies involvedhas been prosecuted. Many work-ers were targeted for their unionsafetyactivities.

The human rights watchdogLiberty has meanwhile written tothe Information Commissioner,SirChristopherGraham,accusinghim of inaction over the scandal.Liberty is threatening to go tocourt to force him to investigatethescandalmore fully.

BuildingWorker ispublishedbytheUnionofConstruction,AlliedTrades&Technicians(UCATT), 177AbbevilleRoad,LondonSW49RL;email: [buildingworker@ucatt.org.uk].Theviewsexpressedhereinarenotnecessarily thoseof theunion.Everyeffort ismadetoensurethatinformation iscorrectat thetimeofgoingtopressbut thiscannotbeguaranteed.Wereservetheright toeditanyarticlesor letterssubmittedforpublication.The inclusionofanadvertisementdoesnot implyrecommendation.Nopartof thispublicationmaybereproducedwithoutpriorwrittenconsentbyUCATT.©UCATT2012.All rightsreserved.

Toadvertise inBuildingWorkercontactSteveSmithatRedactiveMedia–telephone020-78806218oremail[steve.smith@redactive.co.uk].

UCATTBuildingWorkerAutumn2012/No.54

Coverstory

Paydealforsiteworkerspage7

Asbestos:MytwoyearswithouthopeYvetteOldhamwritespage10

ConferencedecisionsAllthe2012NDCresolutionscentre-pagepull-out

SustainablehousingWakefieldshowsthewaypages11-12

TrainingUCATTinitiativesnationwidepages13-15

Plus3-9 News15-16 Legalbrief17 Letters17 International18 Obituaries

UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012 3

AndrewWiard

WorkerUCATT

UnionofConstructionAlliedTrades&Technicians

BuildingAUTUMN2012

BREAKTHROUGHATPAYTALKSEmployersconcede12-monthdealliftingWorkingRuleAgreementratesby2percent

UCATTTAKESBLACKLISTCAMPAIGNTOEUROPEHumanrightscourttoconsiderunion’scase

Government plans to reduce themaximumcompensationforunfairdismissal that can be ordered by anemployment tribunal are an “act ofvengeance”, saysUCATT.

The currentmaximumaward foranunfairdismissalclaimis£72,000,though that amount is given infewer than 2 per cent of cases. Themedian award is understood to bebetween£5,000and£6,000.

Making the announcement inSeptember, Business SecretaryVince Cable also unveiled a volun-tary scheme whereby workerswould leave an employer with a

good reference if they waive theirright to make an unfair dismissalclaim.

UCATT said the proposals woulddo nothing to encourage growth orreduce unemployment. “They aresimply an act of vengeance by theGovernment againstworkers,mak-ing it easier for bad bosses to sacktheir staff.”

The plans come on top of a pro-posal thatworkerswill soonhavetopay £1,200 if they want to seek jus-ticeatanemployment tribunal.� See page 15: New unfair dismissalrulesareanerosionofworkers’ rights.

Angeras‘badbosses’charterisunveiled

ATTHETUC:UCATTdelegatesattheTUC’sannualcongressinBrightoninSeptember,whereGeneralSecretarySteveMurphyispictured(right)ontheconference’svideomonitor.Fromlefttorightare:DaveAllen,ChrisMurphy,TerryPalfrey,NealHodkinson,NeilVernon,SteveMurphy,AndyWilson,FrankTyas,JohnKemp,LolHunt,JimGambleandBillHutt.Seereportonpage9.

T-SHIRTS:BlacklistedbuildingworkersprotestinAugustoutsidethecentralLondonemploymenttribunal.

Cover photo: UCATTmemberslobby the CIJC pay talks.

4 UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012

GangmasterspledgeUCATT has welcomed a commitment by LabourleaderEdMilibandtoextendthescopeoftheGang-mastersLicensingAuthoritytoconstructionandallsectorswhereworkersareexploited.Theunionhaslong campaigned for the GLA – whose remit cur-rentlyonlycoversagricultureandfoodprocessing–to include the construction industry, where inrecent years there has been a huge increase in theuse of employment agencies. The union said thatMiliband’s pledge, made in a speech on 22 June,showed a clear dividing line between Labour andthecoalitionGovernment.

CSCannualgeneralmeetingThe UCATT-backed Construction Safety Cam-paign will hold its annual general meeting atDoncaster Trades, 19 South Mall, FrenchgateCentre, Doncaster DN1 1LL from 11am to 3pmonSaturday24November. Formoredetails anda delegate/supporter registration form contact[construction.safetycampaign@canhe.fsnet.co.uk]; tel:07747-795954.

RoyalvisithitspaypacketsUCATT is calling for 20 constructionworkers to berecompensed after theywere left out of pocket fol-lowing theQueen’s visit to LeedsArenaon19 July.As a result of her visit, the principal contractor onthe project, Bam, closed the site on 18 and 19 July.Mostofworkersonthesitewere temporarily trans-ferred to other sites or were paid for the two days.However, around 20 workers for one of the mainsub-contractors, GRKC (GR Kilmartins Construc-tion),whoareofficially classified as self-employed,were not offered other work and received no pay-mentforeitherofthedaysthesitewasclosed.Theyareunderstoodtohave lostabout£100perday.

BelfasttalksGeneral Secretary Steve Murphy met UCATTleaders and activists in Belfast in August to dis-

cuss plans for reinvigorating the union’s pres-ence inNorthern Ireland.Hewas accompaniedbyNational SecretaryGeorgeGuyand theheadof UCATT Training, Jeff Hopewell. Murphyheardaboutmembership recruitment successesfor UCATT within the Northern Ireland Envi-ronmentAgency,where therewas also aneffec-tive trainingproject being runbyUCATTTrain-ingCoordinatorCiaranBrolly.

ScottishhousingpleaWith housing new-builds in Scotland down bymore than one-third last year, UCATT is warningthat massive investment in social housing isneeded to turn around the crisis hitting Scottishhousing and the country’s economy in general.Latest figures show that the total number of com-pleted new homes in Scotland stood at 15,900 inthe year to April 2012. This represents a fall of 38per cent over the past four years. UCATT ScottishRegional Secretary Harry Frew says the decline inhousebuilding is part of a wider crisis afflictingconstruction. “We’re seeing thousands of redun-dancies during the recession, including 130 jobslost in Dundee with the closure of Brown Con-struction inAugust,”he said.

BadapprenticeshipswarningfromTUCStronger regulation and enforcement is neededto weed out sub-standard apprenticeshipschemes and raise quality standards, the TUCsays in its submission to the Government-appointed Richard Review into the future ofapprenticeships. Poor quality schemes are badfor apprentices if they are not paid enough,aren’t given adequate training and don’t get ajob at the end of the course, says the TUC. Butthey are also bad for the job sectors that rely onapprenticeships if trainees are not prepared orable to move into work, says the submission.Minimum pay rates for apprentices need to beestablished and enforced, along with a mini-mum duration of one year for intermediatecoursesandtwoyearsforadvancecourses.Addi-tionally, there shouldbe at least onedayaweekoff for training.

IN BRIEF

SEMINAR:AfterthesuccessoftheMidlandsRegion’shealthandsafetyconferenceheldinDerbyearlierintheyear,LenEllis,theUCATTshopstewardandhealthandsafetyrepresentativeatWhattonPrisoninNottinghamshire,organisedahealthandsafetymeeting(left)formembersworkingattheprison.UCATTrepsfromotherprisonsintheMidlandsalsoattended.AmongthespeakerswereJoanneGordonoftheDerbyshireAsbestosSupportTeamandRegionalOrganiserShaunLee.

UnionoutrageatsecretHSEtalksonscrappingregulationsThe Health and Safety Executive has beenaccused of a deplorable attempt “to stitchtogether a case to scrap regulations that saveconstructionworkers’ lives”.

UCATT says it has caught the HSE under-mining its own formal consultation proce-duresbyembarkingona“rogue”parallelcon-sultation involving only construction con-tractors. The official consultation onplans toscrap 14 legislative measures, including theHSE’s Crane Register and the Construction(Head Protection) Regulations 1989, waslaunchedinAprilandconcludedon4July.

Unions and campaigners maintain bothregulations have been followed by a markeddrop in fatalities.However,UCATTfoundoutthat anemail sent by theHSE invited agroupof employers to provide detailed feedbackthrough short one-to-one telephone discus-sionswithanHSEresearcher.

Theunion says thismove is a breachof theGovernment’s code of practice on consulta-tions and has written to HSE Chair JudithHackitt raising its concerns as well as to anumberofMPs.

Steve Rotheram, Labour MP for LiverpoolWalton,commented:“Thisisabsolutelyoutra-geous. The HSE has an obligation and moralduty toconsult ina fair and transparentman-ner.Theyhaveclearlyunderminedthisprocess.”

In the consultation itself, UCATT has toldtheHSE that it is strongly opposed to propos-

als to scrap the Crane Register and the Con-struction(HeadProtection)Regulations.

The Crane Register was introduced onlytwo years ago following a UCATT campaignthat was prompted by a series of deaths andserious injuries involvingtowercranes.

TheunionhastoldtheHSEthattheregistershould be kept as companies registering theerection of a tower crane must ensure its safecondition. The register has minimal annualrunningcosts, yet it gives assurances towork-ersandpublicalike.

Equally, the removal of the Construction(Head Protection) Regulations would “sendthe wrong message” to the industry, saysUCATT. “We believe that, if the industry wasonly to relyon thePersonal ProtectiveEquip-ment Regulations, standards would fall andmany employers would stop fulfilling theirdutiesconcerningheadprotectionandwouldstopprovidinghardhats,” says theunion.

TALKS:A15-strongdelegationfromtheSwedishconstructionworkers’unionByggnadsvisitedUCATTheadofficeon22AugusttodiscusscooperationbetweenthetwounionsandthechallengesfacingconstructionworkersinBritainandSweden.TheSwedeswereledbyunionPresidentChristianBengtzeliusandGeneralSecretaryRobertBelving,picturedabove(sixthandseventhfromleft),nexttoUCATTGeneralSecretarySteveMurphy(inshirtsleeves).WithaconservativeSwedishgovernmentpursuingneo-liberaleconomicpolicies,includingderegulationofthelabourmarket,ByggnadswasespeciallykeentohearaboutUCATT’sexperiencesintacklingproblemssuchasbogusself-employmentandanti-unionlegislation.

�TheHSEhasanobligationanda

moraldutytoconsult inafairandtransparentmanner.Theyhaveclearlyunderminedthisprocess.”

UCATT made the case for urgent Governmentaction to help fund a massive social housebuild-ingprogramme thatwould kickstart Britain’s ail-ing economy when the union met Bank of Eng-landGovernorSirMervynKingon26July.

GeneralSecretarySteveMurphytoldthemanin charge of the UK’s monetary policy that thebank’s use of quantitative easing – or printingmore money – was not sufficient to stimulateeconomicactivity.

Instead what was needed was a major pro-grammeofinvestmentininfrastructureprojectsalongsideacomprehensivedrivetobuildafford-able housing. This would help alleviate thecountry’s housing crisis as well as take tens ofthousands of construction and other workersoutof thedolequeues.

“In current economic circumstances we can-not rely on monetary policy alone,” Murphysaid at the meeting that was arranged by Hali-fax’s LabourMPLindaRiordanandattendedbyselected construction industry representatives.“Restoring growth requires fiscal stimulus mea-sures aswell,”headded.

Sir Melvyn told UCATT that he would con-sider the union’s proposals – including the set-ting-up of a UK investment bank – and passthemoninanote to theTreasury.

Riordan said she was delighted that the Trea-

sury had agreed to meet union and industrychiefs. “The economy urgently needs a kick-start,” sheadded.

ThemeetingwiththeBankofEnglandispartofa roundof contacts that theunion is pursuing topress for new economic policies to prioritise jobcreationandhelpforconstruction.

Meetingshave alsobeenheldwith Sajid Javid,Parliamentary Private Secretary to ChancellorGeorge Osborne, and Rachel Reeves, Labour’sshadowChiefSecretarytotheTreasury.

Thetalkscomeagainstthebackgroundofa3.9percent slumpinconstructionoutput in the sec-ondquarterofthisyear–asignificantfactorintheoveralleconomyshrinkingby0.7percent.

UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012�5

BUILDNEWHOMESTOKICKSTARTECONOMY

A TUC survey published in August revealsthatmorethanoneinfiveworkersarebeingforced to pay for personal protective equip-mentoutoftheirownpocket.ThisisdespitelawsthatsayemployersmustgivetheirstaffPPEfreeofcharge.

Overone in10of thosewhorespondedtothe TUC questionnaire said that, althoughtheir work required them to wear safetyequipment of some kind, their employerfailedtoprovideorpayforthis.Afurther8.9per centweremade to pay for any replace-mentequipment.

It is illegal for an employer to charge forPPE.EmployersmustinadditionensurethatPPE is maintained in good working orderandreplacedandcleanedwhennecessary.

TheTUCisalsowarningthataninfluxofsubstandard and fake PPE to the UK isputtinglivesatrisk.

ForcedtopayforPPE

TAKING FLIGHT:6JulywasMesotheliomaActionDayandinStratford,eastLondon,campaignersreleaseddovesinmemoryofall thosekilledbyasbestos.TheyincludedEileenBeadle(aboveleft),whosehusbandRaymonddiedfromasbestosisattheageof56.Later inJulycametheGovernment’sgo-aheadforanewcompensationfundformesotheliomavictims.ButthetermsweredescribedbyUCATTas“toolittletoolate”. In2010,theLabourGovernmentproposedsuchafundforthe10percentofsufferersofasbestos-relateddiseaseswhocannottracetheir insurer.ButthecoalitionGovernment’sschemecoversonlyvictimsofmesothelioma–whichkillsover2,300peopleeveryyear intheUK–andnototherasbestosdiseases.Seepage10:Mytwoyearswithouthope.

Charges forusingplantonconstructionsites isthe latest scambeing inflictedonbogusself-employedworkers.UCATThasevidence thathundredsofpoundsarebeingdemanded fortheuseofsiteequipment,with theamountsdeducted frompayments to the“self-employed”operatives.OneCIS-registeredgroundworker in

Yorkshirewho isworkingonapriceperunitbasishasbeen toldbyhiscontractor–amajorcompanyoperatingmainly inHumberside,Yorkshireand theNorth-East– that fromnowonhewillbecharged for theuseofplant.Thepricesbeingquotedare:

�360-degreedigger:£450perweek�6tonnedumper:£125perweek� fuelbowser:£35perweek� reddiesel:65pper litre.Theoperative,who isworkingonaRedrow

Housingdevelopment innorthLincolnshire,hasapproached theunion tovoicehisalarmatthisnewdemandbeingpresented tohim.Thematterhasbeendiscussedat the

YorkshireRegionalCouncil and theunion’snationalExecutiveCouncil.UCATTisasking foranyotherworkerswho

havebeen facedwithsimilardemands tocomeforwardwithevidence.Detailswill thenbepassed to theunion’s lawyers.GeneralSecretarySteveMurphysaid the

unionwasveryconcernedat thisnewdevelopment. “Wewill vehementlyopposesuchpracticesas theyareablatantexampleofexploitationof constructionworkers.”

Now‘self-employed’arechargedforplanthire

UCATTmakescasetoBankofEnglandchiefformassivesocialhousebuildingprogramme

Andrew

Wiard

“GHETTO” PLANSLAMMED:UCATThasslammedproposalsfromtheinfluentialright-wingthinktankPolicyExchangethatwouldresultin“expensive”socialhousingbeingsoldoffandtheproceedsinvestedinbuildingnewhomesinareaswithlowerpropertyprices.Thiswouldbeamovetowardsthe“ghettoisation”ofBritain’scities,theunioniswarning.UCATTsaidtheplanwouldseesocialhousingtenantsforcedtoliveonthecheaperoutskirtsoftowns.“Weshouldbeincreasingmixeddevelopmentsinordertobreakdownsocialsegregation,notreducingthem.”

DIGGER?Thatwillbe£450aweekplease.

6�UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012

ADVICELINE

Thereare importantnewrulesgoverning thecontrol and removal of asbestos. The Con-trol of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR

2012) were introduced in April 2012. Theyupdate, replace and strengthen the previousControl of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and havebeen introduced as the European CommissionfoundthattheUKhadnotfullyimplementedtheEuropeanUnion’sAsbestosDirective.

CAR2012havecreatedanewcategoryofnoti-fiablenon-licensedwork (NNLW), inaddition tothepreviouslyexistingcategoriesof licensedandnon-licensedasbestoswork.Examplesofworkinthis new category include (assuming in all casesthatexposureissporadic,oflowintensityandnotexceedingthecontrol limit):� minor, short-duration, maintenance workinvolvingasbestos insulation;�minorremovalworkinvolvingasbestosinsula-tionboards (AIB),whenof short duration andaspartofa refurbishmentproject;� removal work involving textured decorativecoatings (such as artex) where the method ofremoval requires deterioration (steaming orscrapping)of thematerial;�removalofasbestospaperandcardboardprod-ucts ifnot firmlybondedinamatrix;� removal of asbestos cement which is substan-tially degraded (fire damaged, crumbling or bro-ken) or where substantial breakage is unavoid-able toachieve removal.

NNLW will not normally include the follow-ing,whichwillcontinuetobecategorisedasnon-licensed work (assuming in all cases exposure issporadic, of low intensity andnot exceeding thecontrol limit):� short, non-continuous maintenance workinvolving AIB that is in good condition, asbestoscementortextureddecorativecoatings,forexam-pledrillingholes, insertingscrewsorpainting;� work to enclose or seal asbestos materials thatare in good condition (and that do not require alicence).

Asbestoswork that falls into thisnewcategoryofNNLWhasthreeadditional requirements:Notificationofwork:Employersnowneedto

notify the relevant enforcing authority of anyNNLW. They do not need to wait for permissionbefore startingwork.Medical surveillance: By 30 April 2015, allworkers carrying out NNLW will need to havehadamedicalexamination,toberepeatedatleasteverythreeyears,as longastheworkercontinuesto do NNLW. Medical examinations should becarried out in work time at the employer’sexpense.Recordkeeping:employersneedtokeepareg-ister of NNLW for each employee exposed toasbestos. Thismust include thenature anddura-tionofasbestoswork, theestimatedexposure foreachindividualworkerandthedatesof themed-icalexaminations.

Allother requirements contained in theprevi-ous Asbestos Regulations 2006 remainunchanged, forexample:� In the majority of cases, work with asbestosneeds tobedonebya licensedcontractor.� Anybody who wants to do any building ormaintenance work that might contain asbestosneeds to identify where it is, its type and condi-tion, assess the risks and manage and controlthese risks.� The control limit for asbestos is 0.1 asbestosfibresper cubic centimetreof air (0.1 f/cm3). Thecontrol limit is not a safe level and exposure toasbestosmustbe reduced toas farbelowthecon-trol limitaspossible.� Training is mandatory for anyone liable to beexposedtoasbestos fibresatwork.� It is prohibited to import, supply and use allformsofasbestos.

Advice toUCATTmembers remains: if youarein any doubt as to whether you are accidentallyworkingonasbestos,stopworkimmediatelyandget it checked out. All asbestos work should becarriedoutbya licensedcontractor.

Further information:– fromtheHealthandSafetyExecutive: [www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/regulations.htm]– fromUCATT: [www.ucatt.org.uk/visageimages/newasbestosregs.pdf].

The National Insurance concession on holi-day pay ends from October 2012. This isdespite UCATT’s campaigning against its

withdrawalsincethechangewasfirstannounced.Until October, no National Insurance is

deducted fromholidaypay intheB&CEHolidayPay Scheme, both in respect of contributions byemployeesandemployers.

As a result, take-home holiday pay has beengreater thanregularweeklypay.

Class 1 National Insurance contributions foremployeesamountto12percentofweeklyearn-ingsbetween£146and£817.

In 2007 the Government confirmed changesto this scheme,viewing it as anunfair taxadvan-tage. Construction companies kept the conces-sionuntilOctober2012,whereasallother indus-tries lost it in2007.

It is estimated that 225,000 building workersare in the B&CE scheme and will be affected bythischange.ManywillnoticethedifferenceovertheChristmasholidayperiod.

This means that a worker earning £500per week will see take-home holiday pay reducefrom £427.60 to £384.22, based on a tax codeof747L.

Newasbestosregulations

HolidaypayNIconcessionends

� Topical tips on issues that have been raised on UCATT’s0800-262 467 freephone adviceline for members

TheconvictionofserialcrookThomasScraggforupto£10millionof fraudinvolvingconstructioncompanies is just“thetipof the iceberg” intheindustry,saysUCATT.Scraggwasconvictedlastyear,but thecasehas

onlynowbeenmadepublic followingtheliftingofcourt-imposedreportingrestrictions.BetweenApril2007andFebruary2008Scragg’s

companyMoyaPayrollServicesstolebetween£8millionand£10millionfromotherconstructionfirms. InsteadofpassingontaxandNationalInsurancepaymentstoHMRevenue&Customs,thecompanysubmittedfalseexpenseclaims–whichweretaxfree.UCATTGeneralSecretarySteveMurphy

commented:“Thishighprofilecase is just thetipof the icebergandneedstoserveasawake-upcallto theGovernment.ThelosstotheTreasury fromthevarioustaxscamsintheconstruction industryisastronomical.Allof thepracticesarehighlydubious,althoughsomearecurrently legal.”Headded:“There isnopoint intinkeringtotry

toendthesescams.Rootandbranchreformisneededtoendthecasualisednatureof theconstruction industry,whichallowsthesehighlydubiouspracticestoflourish.”In2008areport forUCATTestimatedthat false

self-employment intheconstruction industrywascostingtheExchequer£1.7billionayear.Despitetherecessionthat figure isexpectedtohaverisenduetoalackofenforcementbyHMRC.Also, inrecentyearstherehasbeenaplethoraofothertax-dodgingschemesestablished,allofwhicharedesignedtominimisetheamountpayablebyconstructioncompaniestoHMRC.

£8mNationalInsurancefraudis‘tipoficeberg’

UCATThas accused theHighways Agency ofhypocrisy for delaying plans threatening thesafety of road users in Eastern England untilaftertheOlympics.

A first round of redundancies hittingUCATTmembersinvolvedinemergencyroadrepairsandclearingupafteraccidentswasduetostartearlyinJuly.Butwithonlyafewweekstogo,itwasannouncedthatthelay-offswouldbedelayeduntilSeptember.

The Highways Agency is altering its con-tract with Atkins for Incident Support Unitstaff patrolling theM11, A12, A14 andA120.TheISUteamisresponsibleforclearingdebris,attendingaccidentsandensuringroadsare inasafecondition.

Under the current contract they mustrespondtoanaccidentwithin20minutes.ButwithHighwaysAgencycuts,the70-strongspe-cialist staff are to be replaced by 20 “multiskilled workers” based in one location.Responsetimeswillbeabolished.

UCATT Eastern Regional Secretary BrianRyewarned thatmajor roads in Eastern Eng-landwouldbecomemoredangerousandjour-neytimeswouldincreaseasaresultofthecuts.

Headded:“ThisishypocrisyonanOlympicscale from the Highways Agency. Our roadsmustbesafeanddelaysmustbeminimisedallyear round andnot justwhen the eyes of theworldareuponus.”

HighwaysAgencyaccusedofOlympicshypocrisy

UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012�7

UCATThaswona2percentpay increase for500,000construction workers covered by the ConstructionIndustry JointCouncil’sWorkingRuleAgreement.

Following a long series of negotiating meetings –which began with the construction employersrefusing to table any increase whatsoever – a dealwas eventually reached on 22 August. Theimproved rates will come into effect on Monday 7January 2013 andwill rununtil January 2014.

The offer was a significant improvement on the1.6 per cent increase offered by the employers inJune, in a deal that would have run for two yearsfrom Januarynext year until January 2015.

Theother twounions,GMBandUnite, have alsoaccepted the latest offer.

Led by UCATT, the unions persuaded the con-struction employers to set up a joint working partyto consider introducing more appropriate rulesfor workers undertaking highways maintenanceworkandtoreviewpayrates forcraneoperatorsandplate layers.

The Construction Industry Joint Council willalsointroduceanewruleintheWorkingRuleAgree-ment that will help to rid the industry of the prob-lemof rolled-upholiday pay.

The union negotiating team was headed byUCATT General Secretary Steve Murphy, who wel-comed the breakthrough reached in August,though with considerable reservations. “This wasthe absolute minimum that construction workerswere prepared to accept,” he said. “Employersmust

understand that this is only the first step in address-ing lowpay in construction.”

Headded thatUCATTwas looking forward to thereopeningofnegotiationsearlynextyear,whentheoutstanding issue of low basic rates for many work-ers in the industry had to be addressed.

He went on: “Rank and file UCATT membersplayed an important role in this year’s talks. Withtheir protests they sent a clear message of theirgrowinganger at lowwages byattending successivelobbies outside the pay talks. Their actions clearlydemonstrated to the employers that no offer – or aderisory pay offer –was entirely unacceptable.”

Earlier in this year’s negotiations the construc-tion employers agreed that travel and subsistenceallowances would increase by 3.6 per cent from 2July 2012.

Flat-rateincreasesformostprisonworkersMost UCATT members working for HM Prison Ser-vice will see their annual pay rise by £250 backdatedtoApril. This followsnegotiations inwhichmanage-ment stuck firmly to the Government’s clampdownon public sector pay. Members voted overwhelm-ingly in favour of accepting the offer in a ballot thatclosed on 22 June. The Government has ordered afreeze on public sector pay increases, though thoseonlessthan£21,000ayearcanreceiveincreasesofupto £250 a year. The basic pay of most building andmaintenance workers in the Prison Service fallsbelowthis threshold.

UCATT members in local authoritiesand on outsourced local governmentcontracts have voted to accept revisedproposals for changes to the local gov-ernmentpensionscheme(LGPS).

The ballot showed a 79 per centmajority in favour of the latest offer.The amended scheme will come intoeffect in2014.

Balloting in July and August fol-lowedlengthynegotiationswhichsawmajor changes to the Government’soriginal proposed changes. Unionsbelieve that the Government’s new-found flexibility was largely down tothe industrial action taken by publicsectorworkerson30November2011.

ImprovementUCATTsaid thenewschemewasan

improvement on what ministers hadwanted to enforce prior to the day ofaction. However, the union remainsstrongly opposed to the decision tolink the LGPS retirement age to thestate retirementage,which isplannedto increase to 67 by 2028 and 68by2046.

An increase in the pension age is ofparticular concern for constructionandmaintenanceworkerswhounder-take physically demanding roles andwho are already often forced to retireearly due to injury and ill health, saystheunion.

UCATT is campaigning alongsidethe TUC and other unions to opposeincreases in the state retirementage.

LOBBY:UCATTmembersoutsidetheCIJCpaytalksheldinthecentralLondonheadquartersoftheNationalFederationofRoofingContractors.

Localauthoritymembersacceptnewpensionsoffer

PAYDEALFORSITEWORKERSNationalratessettoriseinJanuaryin12-monthCIJCdeal

Join the campaign atwww.afuturethatworks.org.uk

JOIN US IN LONDON

SATURDAY

20 OCTOBER 2012

Assemble at 11am–1:30pm

for march to Hyde Park rally

(see website for joining instructions)

Send the message thatAUSTERITY ISN’T WORKING

spending cuts threaten a lost decadeinvest for jobs and growthdefend quality public services

@futurethatworks #oct20

MARCH FOR

UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012�9

Photos:AndrewWiard

UCATTSPEAKERS:AttheannualTUCcongressinBrightonfrom9-12September,fromleft:NeilVernon,FrankTyas,ChrisMurphy,BillHuttandSteveMurphy.

UCATTwelcomedtheunanimoussupportgivenbytheTUCcongresstoamotiondemandingjusticeforvictims of blacklisting and for blacklisting to bemadeacriminaloffence.

Speaking in thedebate,UCATTExecutiveCoun-cilmemberNeilVernondescribedhowUCATThadbeenfightingblacklistingforover40yearssincetheShrewsburyPickets.

“Wehavetoensurethatthedisgustingpracticeofblacklisting is never allowed to return,”he insisted.“We have to make sure that bosses never ever eventhinkofblacklistingworkersandtradeunionists.”

Hewent on to call on the InformationCommis-sioner’sOffice–theGovernment-appointedprivacywatchdog– to release all the files concerningblack-listing so that the victims could see who tried towrecktheir lives.

Secret files were seized by the ICO in 2009 whenthe Consulting Association was discovered to becompiling information on more than 3,000 con-structionworkersonbehalfof44majorcontractors.

AlsohighlightedbyVernoninhisspeechwasthetest case that the union is taking to the EuropeanCourt of Human Rights on behalf of a blacklistingvictim. This was necessary because the British judi-cial systemhadnotbeenabletodeliver justice.

Headded:“ThefailureoftheBritishGovernmentto outlaw blacklisting damaged workers’ humanrights.ThewheelsofEuropeanJusticemoveslowly.It will be a long fight. But it is a battle we are deter-minedtowin.”

CallformoresocialhousingDelegates in Brighton united in support of aUCATTmotion calling for amassive increase inthe building of social housing for rent. ThemotionlambastedtheConservative-ledGovern-ment’s record on housing and called for a five-pointplantoresolvethehousingcrisis.

Moving the motion, UCATT General Secre-tary Steve Murphy said: “We have an absolutemoral obligation to tackle this housing emer-gency. And it makes economic sense. Invest inconstruction and we will see growth. Invest insocial housing and we will also see wider com-munityandsocialbenefits.”

ThemotionurgedtheTUCleadership tocam-

paignforanincreaseinthesupplyofsocialhous-ing,aswellas:�anendtotheRighttoBuy,�areversalof thepolicythat linkssocial rents tomarketvalues,� socialhousing tobebuilt under strict procure-mentrulesrequiringapprenticetraining,� increased investment in green building tech-nologies.

UnderthecurrentGovernment,homelessnesshas risen by 14 per cent, the number of familiesliving in bed and breakfast has increased by 44percent,privaterentshavegoneupby26percentandtherearecurrently5millionpeopleonhous-ingwaitinglists.

Yet investmentinsocialhousingisrunning25percentlowerthanin2011.InthesixmonthsuptoSeptember2011,only259properties forsocialrentwerecompleted.

CameroncondemnedonsafetyThe TUC congress united in condemnation of theGovernment’scontinuedattacksonsafetylaws.

Unanimously carried was a UCATT-sponsoredmotiondeploringspendingcutsbeingforcedontheHealth and Safety Executive. It also attacked theGovernment’s proposals to remove the self-employedfromsafetylegislation.

Moving the motion, UCATT General SecretarySteveMurphycriticisedcommentsbyPrimeMinis-ter David Cameron in which he described healthandsafetyasa“monster”andsaidthathewantedto“killoff thehealthandsafetycultureforgood”.

Murphy said: “Perhaps Cameron should trytelling that to the families of the 173 people killedat work last year, whose only crime was to try toearna living.”

Headded: “ThisGovernment is prepared to riskworkers’ lives towin cheap headlines. That iswhywemustsayenoughisenough.Weneedtofighttokeep workers safe. Protecting workers’ lives is afight we have fought before. We must fight thesebattles again.”

Pledgeonself-employmentUCATT has applauded the announcementmade at the TUC congress by Ed Balls, the

ShadowChancellor, thatLabourwould launchareviewofbogus self-employment.

In his speech to the congress, Balls said: “Onthe issue of bogus self-employment in the con-struction sector and more widely, I am deter-minedthatwelookatthis issueagain.There isacarefulbalance tobe struck.

“Idonotwant inanywaytounderminegen-uine self-employment. Butnor should contrac-tual arrangements be distorted and misrepre-sented to avoid tax and undermine terms andconditions.”

He added: “Construction is one of the mostimportant industries. Let’s work together tomakeit stronger, saferandfairer for thefuture.”

Whattheysaid…�Speakingduring thedebateoneconomic pol-icy, Andy Wilson of the UCATT General Councilsaid:“Theconstructionindustryisausefulmarkerfor the performance of the private sector econ-omy. The facts lay bare the Government’s failureto stimulate growth and demand. A 3 per centreductioninoutputinJanuary2012tippedusintoadoubledip recession.”� Speaking in the debate on pensions, ChrisMurphy of the UCATT Executive Council said:“The Government’s attacks on public sectorpensions are ideologically driven. The coalitionGovernment wants us to work longer, pay moreand get less. The rise in the state retirement ageaffects public andprivate sectorworkers alike.Weneed to stand together to the let the Governmentknow that these increases are unacceptable. I amproud to say thatmyunionUCATThas signedupto the ‘68 is too late’ campaign.”� Speaking in the debate on vulnerable work-ers,BillHuttofUCATT’sEasternRegionsaid:“Thehire and fire attitude of agencies and employers,using the recession as a stick to drive down work-ingconditionshas ledtobuildingworkersbecom-ing increasingly vulnerable, with little or no jobsecurity. Agencies utilise legal loopholes so thatworkers are denied equal treatmentwith employ-ees after a12-weekperiod.Othermethods to limitfair employment rights in construction includefalse self-employment.”

InformationCommissionerurgedtoreleasesecretfilesTUCCONGRESS

DELEGATESDEMANDJUSTICEFORBLACKLISTEDWORKERS

Trevor, son Nick and I enjoyed a very normallife until January 2010,when fate delivered adeathsentencetomyhusband.

Trevorwasalways fit, activeandhardlyever justsat still. Apart fromhiswork – a lift engineer all hisworking life –hewas aNottinghamForest season-ticket holder and a life-long golfer. It was in thatJanuarythatTrevorcommentedthathehadacou-ple of sharp, jabbingpains aroundhis right shoul-der,thenpainwhenlyingdowninbed;heusedpil-lows to prop himself up, saying it was more com-fortable.

The pain became worse and was accompaniedby breathlessness, so Trevor visited our GP, whodiagnosedpleural effusion(fluid in the lung), gavehim pain-killers and sent him for an X-ray, fol-lowed by a CT scan. The hospital registrar askedTrevorabouthisworkhistoryandraised thepossi-bilitythatitcouldbemesotheliomabroughtaboutbyexposuretoasbestos.Trevorneededdrainagetohis chest and a biopsy would be carried out at thesame time. Three-and-a-half litres of fluid wasdrainedfromTrevor’s chestduringtheprocedure.

Our worst fears were confirmed and Trevor wasdiagnosed with malignant mesothelioma inMarch2010.Wewerereferredtoaconsultantwhogave us the limited options available and advisedthatthebestchanceofextendingTrevor’s lifewasamajor operation, followed by chemotherapy andradiotherapy. Even then Trevor was given twoyears to live. As he was fit, he decided to go aheadwiththeoperation,whichtookplacethenextday.

ContactedWe contacted the Derbyshire Asbestos Support

Team,aswedidnotknowwhoto talk toorhowtofind out about this deadly disease. Once Trevordetailed his work history, we were put in touchwithThompsonsSolicitors to launchacivil actionagainst Trevor’s employer for his first 24 years ofwork.ThiswasEvansLifts,whichwastakenoverbyOtis.From1988Trevorworkedonaself-employedbasis and worked for many regular customers.Hearing the bad news and what it entailed, Idecided I needed to fin-ish my employ-ment to carefor Trevor,

whichIdid. Ihadworked for the localauthority inproperty for 10 years and really enjoyed my job.But InowknewTrevorneededmetobewithhim.

We embarked on a two-year emotional roller-coaster – with no hope at the end. Once Trevorrecoveredfromtheradicalpleurectomyanddecor-tication,itwastimetobeginchemotherapy,whichwasdeliveredatthree-weeklyintervals,sixcyclesinall. Radiotherapy to the scars was given alongsidethechemo.Trevorwasneverfreefrompainthoughofvaryingdegrees.

We did manage to get away on holiday a fewtimes, but it was not all happy and glorious. Notonlydidthepainget intheway,but itwasverydif-ficult trying to keep the emotions in check. Howmuch time have we got? Can we get away again?Canwestayinthesamehouse?WillTrevorbeheretoseeoursonmarryandhavechildren?

MonitoredTrevor’sconditionwasmonitoredbyX-raysand

scans. The year slowly passed and he tried to getback to some sort of normality, going to see the“lads” at the golf course andwatching Forest play,though our social life never resumed. Trevor waswearyintheevenings,soweoccasionallywentoutfor lunch. We did celebrate our 30th weddinganniversary and, to thank our wonderful friends

for their help and support, we treatedthem to a celebratory dinner.

Needingnothing,weaskedfordonations to be sent to

MesotheliomaUKtoaidtheir research into

this ghastly dis-ease.

In April 2011the breathless-ness returned.Trevor under-went several pro-

cedures but the dis-easehadspreadtohis

abdomen. In Augusthe underwent another

courseofchemotherapy,which helped, but wasnot as successful as thefirstone.

In November 2011Trevor was admitted to

hospitalwith pneumonia. After a three-week stay,hereturnedhome.Hehadtosleepdownstairsandwasonoxygen formuchof the time.Towatch thepersonyouknowand love go frombeing super fittohardlybeingable togetoutofbed isheartbreak-ing. Trevor deteriorated and went into hospital inJanuary 2012 and very sadly he passed away on 3February.

Whenweweregiven thediagnosiswe felt shell-shocked.Now,after those twodreadfulyears, I stillfeel shell-shocked.

AngryThemorethatIdiscoveraboutasbestosthemore

angryIbecome.Howwasasubstance,knowntobecarcinogenicinthe1950s,beingusedinthe1960s?In fact, productionwas increased in the1970sand80s and asbestos wasn’t banned until the 1990s.Why have successive Governments ignored thelink between asbestos and cancer? Why have somanypeoplebeendeliveredadeathsentence?

The answer is simple: because banning asbestoswouldhavegotinthewayofthehugeprofitsdeliv-eredbythisdeadly industry.

Victimshavehadtofightforcompensationandsuccess does help with the financial worry, but Ihavenever felt sohelplessandhopeless inmylife.

Mesothelioma is incurable – a death sentencethat is the reward for hard work and Governmentneglect. There has been a dereliction of duty andconsistent failure to protectworkers under succes-siveGovernments’ “dutyofcare”.

As such, those in power have blood on theirhands and the very least they can do is to put inplacerealisticfundingtohelpfindawayofbeatingthisdeadlydisease.

UCATTmemberYVETTEOLDHAMdescribesthenightmareoflosingherhusbandTrevortodeadlymesothelioma.Botharepicturedbelowinhappiertimes.Shenowpointsthefingerofblameatthoseinpowerwhodidnothingandstilldenyjusticetovictimsofexposuretoasbestos.

MYTWOYEARSWITHOUTHOPE

ASBESTOS

10�UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012

�ThemorethatIdiscoverabout

asbestosthemoreangryIbecome.Howwasasubstance,knowntobecarcinogenicinthe1950s,beingusedinthe1960s?”

Alltheresolutionscarriedattheunion’sconferenceinScarboroughfrom28Mayto1June2012BlacklistingThisconferencecongratulatestheExecutiveCouncilon itscampaigntohighlight thenationaldisgraceofblacklistingbycertainmajorcompanieswhichresultsinUCATTmembersbeingvictimisedandtheir familiesbeingdeprived.Conferencenotesthatdespiteendemicblacklisting

ofconstructionworkersbytheConsultingAssociationbeingexposedinMarch2009,manyof thoseaffectedworkershavestillnotwonjustice.Conferenceremainsdisappointedthat theregula-

tionsdesignedtooutlawblacklistingaresoweakthattheywillnotprevent thisvilepractice.Wecalluponconferenceto lobbytheLabourParty to

support JohnMcDonnellMP’scall fora full investiga-tionandpublicenquiry intotheoperationofblacklist-ing in theUK.Assuch,conferencevowstocontinuethecampaign

towin justice for theblacklistedworkerswhilealsoremaininghighlyvigilant toensurethatnonewformofblacklistingcaneveremerge in future.Thiscanalsobeachievedbybuildingandre-establishingarankandfilesiteorganisation, therebystrengtheningourability tochallengeanddefeat theblacklistatsite level.CongresscallsontheExecutiveCouncil tocontinue

tocampaignfornewlegislationto finallyoutlawblack-listing.Newlegislationshould include:–Blacklistingbecomesaspecificcriminaloffence.–Protection isgivenforworkersundertakingunofficialindustrialaction.–Workersareprotectedfromblacklisting forundertak-ing“activitiesassociatedwithtradeunions”andnotthenarrowdefinitionof“tradeunionactivities”.–Anyblacklistedworkerhasanautomatic right tobasiccompensation.– Ifablacklist isdiscovered,allworkerswhosenamesappearon ithaveanautomatic right tobe informed.Conference reaffirmsUCATT’s commitment to

support a campaign in theEuropeancourts toobtainjustice forUCATTmembersandconstructionworkerswhohavebeenvictimisedasa result ofthisevil practice.

Falseself-employmentThisconferencenotes thatmanyemployersonmajorGovernmentcontractsareusing the recession to fur-ther increase theuseof falseself-employment,agency labourandareduction inconstructionwork-ers’wages. Falseself-employmentdeniesworkersdignityandtheirentitlement tobasicemploymentrights.Directemploymenthas tobe thenormforourindustry.WecallupontheExecutiveCouncil to look into this

issuewithoursponsoredMPsto tryandobtainaRoyalCommission into thisabusebyemployersandahuge loss to theTreasury,asoutlined in“TheEvasionEconomy”.Wealsocall foranurgent lobbyofall constituency

MPstosupport thiscampaignbyUCATTmembers.ThisGovernmentwill notdoanything tochangepolicywithoutpressure.

AgenciesandgangmastersConferencecongratulates theEC for thepublicationof“TheHiddenWorkforce” reportby JamieElliotandProfessorMiguelMartinezLucioand isdeeplycon-cernedat the increasinggrowthofgangmastersandagenciesoperating inour industry.Conference recognises that thiscontinuedabuse

shouldnotgounnoticed.Theeffecton termsandconditionsandhealthand

safety isall tooevident,withboth the indigenousandmigrantworkforcesbeingexploited.Wecallon theEC, theGSandall regionalofficialsat

all levelswithinUCATTto raiseateveryopportunitywithallpoliticians theabusesofworkershighlightedin the report.

AgencyregulationsConferencewelcomesthe introductionof the recentagencyworkers regulations introducedby the lastLabourGovernment.However,weareconcernedanddistressedat the

currentmisuseof these regulations.It isnowclear that theagency regulationsarebeing

abusedorcompletely ignored todenyworkers theirbasicemployment rights.Workersdirectlyemployedbyagenciesarebeing

coercedandbullied tomoveover toself-employed,orfind that theiremployment isendedonthe12thweekdeadline forequal termsandconditions.Yetagainconstructionagenciesare leading the

field incircumnavigatingemployment laws, thereforeremoving thedignityofworkers.Conferencecallson theExecutiveCouncil tocon-

ductandmountacampaign toendthisabuseand,wherepossible,workwith theTUCandconsideralegal challengeonhowthedirective is implementedinEurope.

HousingConferencewelcomestheExecutiveCouncil’sreportcondemningtheTory-ledGovernment’spolicyoncoun-cilhousing,extendingtherighttobuy.ThereportalsoexposestheGovernment’smislead-

ingpromisethatthosehomessoldwillbereplacedbynewones. If implemented,thispolicywillseriouslyreducesocialhousingavailabilityandaddtothe1.7mil-lionpeople(inEnglandonly)alreadyontheevergrow-ingcouncilhousingwaitinglists.SinceUCATTconferencelastmettwoyearsagothe

ConDemcoalitionGovernmentareouttodismantlecouncilhousingbytakingawaysecuretenancyagree-ments,cuttinghousingbenefitandintroducingrentspitchedat80percentofmarketvalue.Manylocalauthoritiesarenowconsideringreturning

councilhousingstockbackin-house.Wecallonconfer-ence, in linewiththeneedforareturnofcouncilhous-ing, toalsocampaignforareturnofdirect labourorgan-isations(DLOs),wherewecansecurebetteremploy-mentconditions,apprenticeshipsandprovideaserviceandskills for localcommunities.Onlyamassiveprogrammeofcouncilhousebuilding

willaddressthepresentchronicshortageofsocialhousing.Thesehomesmustbeconstructedbydirectly-employedlabourwithtraditionalcraft-basedappren-tices,whichinturnwouldbreaktheindustry’sCISstran-glehold.Inadditionthiswouldprovidetheimpetusthat

wouldkickstartour industryandprovidemuchneededworkfortensofthousandsofconstructionworkerswhoremainunemployed.Conferencebelievesit isahumanrighttohave

accesstoahomeanddecentfamily lifeandthereforecondemnsthisGovernment’splanstodenyfuturegen-erationsaccesstosocialhousing.ConferenceurgestheECandtheGStocampaign

alongsideDefendCouncilHousingandotherorganisa-tionsagainsttheGovernment’splanstohiveoffsocialhousingandtoputpressureonthisGovernmenttogetourhousebuildingprogrammebackontrack.

ApprenticeshipsApprenticeshipsarethebestwayinwhichworkerscanentertheconstructionindustry.ConferencenotesthemajorroleUCATThasplayed

overtheyears incampaigningforapprenticeshipsandthesuccesswhichthishashadintakingyoungpeoplefromschoolorcollegeintotheworldofwork.Conferenceagreeswithresearchthatconfirmsthat

spendinglongperiodsunemployedhasahugelydetri-mental impactonayoungperson’sfutureemploymentopportunitiesandhealth.Forthelast30yearsnumbersofapprenticeshave

beendropping.This iscreatingskillsshortagesintheindustryandaffectsproductivity.Thisconferencecalls fortheGeneralSecretaryand

theExecutiveCouncil tocontinuetopursuechangestotheprocurementprocess,whichwouldincludethat, forevery£1million,anapprenticeisdirectlyemployed,ensuringthatallpublicsectorbodiessuchaslocalauthorities,civilservice,NHSandALMOsplaytheirpartinaddressingworkopportunitiesforyoungworkersthroughcraft-basedconstructionapprenticeshipswhereapprenticescantraintoNVQlevel3. Ifcompa-

nieswon’t trainapprenticesthentheyshouldbebarredfromcontracts.ConferencecallsontheExecutiveCouncil tohighlight

inanymeetingsandconsultationswithGovern-ments/sponsoredMPsthescourgeofyouthunemploy-mentandtheimportanceofdeliveringjobsforyoungpeopletogrowingtheeconomy.

ApprenticetrainingagencyConferencecallsontheExecutiveCouncil tofully inves-tigateandproduceabusinesscaseontherunningoftheunion’sownATA(apprenticetrainingagency); thereporttobeforwardedtotheGeneralSecretarywithinsixmonthstothereforetakethenecessaryaction.

SkillscertificationThisbranchcallsontheGeneralSecretaryandtheExec-utiveCouncil topursueexternal fundingforconstruc-tionworkerstoobtainorassistwithfundingtosecuretheirpropertradeskillscertification.Skilledconstructionworkersonsites inBritainare

forcedtoworkoutwiththeir trade.This isbecausetheyhavenorecordoftheirappren-

ticeship;manytradesmenareworkingoutwiththeirtradeandhaveSVQ/NVQlevel2CSCScardsduetotheabolitionof“grandfatherrights”.Thecostofobtainingandgettingconstructioncom-

paniestoagreewithon-siteOSATassessorshasdrivenconstructionworkersawayfromtheir tradeandalsotheindustry.

EmploymentlawTheGovernment’srecentconsultationcalled“resolvingworkplacedisputes”wasnomorethanaseriesofpro-posalsdesignedtomakeitmoredifficult foremployeestotakecasestoemploymenttribunals.TheGovernment’srationale isthat itwouldencour-

ageemployerstotakeonmoreemployees.UCATTrejectstheGovernment’sassumptionsthatemploy-mentrightsarecreatinganunnecessaryburdenonbusinesses.ConferenceisconcernedthatthecoalitionGovern-

ment isproposingtochangethepositionofTUPEandcallsontheExecutiveCouncil toensurethattheuniontakeonboardtheimportanceoftheprotectionofadmittedbodystatusandthetermsandconditionsofourmembers.Conferencemustavidlyopposethequalifyingtime

forunfairdismissalclaimsrisingfrom12monthsuptotwoyears,especially inthehardrecessionweareexpe-riencing.ConferencemustopposethisGovernment’spropos-

alstolevyfinancialchargesinrespectofapplyingtoanemploymenttribunalandproposalsforclaimstobestruckoutwithouttheclaimanthavingtheopportunitytopresenttheircasebeforetheemploymenttribunal.ConferenceinstructstheGeneralSecretaryandthe

ExecutiveCouncil to:–Resistanychangesthatwillmakeitharderforworkerstoenforcetheir rights.–CampaigntoensurethattheGovernment’sderegula-tionagendawillnotsucceedinweakeningstatutoryrightsandlegalprotectionscoveringworkersandwork-places.–WorkwiththeInstituteofEmploymentRightsandtheunitedcampaigntorepealanti-tradeunionlaws.

–CampaignwiththeTradesUnionCongressandothertradeunionsagainstGovernmentattemptstofurthercutouremploymentrights.ConferencevowstovociferouslyopposethisCon-

DemGovernment’sapproachtofurthererodeourmem-bers’employmentrights.

PayratesConferencerecognisesthattheconstructionindustryhasseenamajorreductioninworksince2008.Conferencenotesthattheemployers’sideoftheCIJC

agreementhasusedthereductionasexcusestojustifytheiractionsoftreatingbuildingworkerswithcontemptbyrefusingtoincreaseratesofpayin2009and2010.ConferencefurthernotesthatAlanRitchie,UCATT

GeneralSecretaryatthetime, failedtoinstigateanyactions,campaignorprotestsagainsttheemployers’stance.Conferencebelieveshisfailuretoshowleader-shipisadamningindictmentonhistimeasGeneralSecretary.Conferencewishestoplaceonrecorditsapprecia-

tiontoGeorgeGuywhoin2011asGeneralSecretaryprotemlednegotiationsthatsecuredthefirst increaseinCIJCratesofpaysince2008.Conferencewishestoplaceonrecorditsapprecia-

tiontothoseregionsthatsupportedthelobbyoftheCIJCwagenegotiations.ConferencecallsontheECtoorganiseacampaignto

ensureanincreaseintheCIJCrateat leastequaltoRPI.

TrafficmanagementindustryConferencecalls forUCATTtointroduceintotheWork-ingRuleAgreementadditionalwordingtocoverthetrafficmanagement industryforoperativesworkingonHighwaysAgencyorothersimilartypesofcontractworkwheretheWRAisusedasabasisforemployment,termsandconditions.

Temporarylay-offConferencewishestoregister itsconcernanddistressatthecurrentmisuseofthepresenttemporary lay-off/redundancylegislation.It isnowclearthatbothregulationsarebeingabused

orcompletely ignoredanddenyworkersbasicemploy-mentrights,namelyconsultationandnotice.Workersarebeingsystematically laidoffata

moment’snoticeforuptosixmonthsandbeyondwith-outreceivingredundancypayornoticepay.Yetagainconstructionemployersareleadingthe

field incircumnavigatingemployment lawsandintheprocessareremovinganydignityconstructionworkersmayhave.ConferencecallsontheExecutiveCouncil tomounta

campaigntoendthisabuse.

DirectemploymentConferenceinstructstheGSandtheECtotakeallstepstoensurethatallmajorprojectsstrivetoestablishdirectemployment,especiallyonallGovernment-fundedprojectsthroughouttheUK.

ShipbuildingConferenceisawareoftheUKGovernmentawardinganMoDcontracttoaKoreanshipyard.Conferenceiscon-cernedthatthiswill impactonBritishship-yardsatPortsmouth,Southampton,Bar-

UCATTNATIONALDELEGATECONFERENCETHEDECISIONS IN FULL 1

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2 UCATTNATIONALDELEGATECONFrow,RosythandtheClyde. It isclearthatthisGovernmenthasdepartedfromthepast

LabourGovernment’sdecisiontokeepMoDworkintheUK.Therepercussionsofthiswillmeanredundanciesat

UKyards.ConferencecallsontheGeneralSecretaryandECto

workwiththeConfedoftheCSEUtoensurethatrepre-sentationismadetotheDefenceMinister,PhillipHam-mond,aboutourconcerns;andtoestablishanagree-mentthatfutureMoDworkremainsinUKshipyardsfortheprotectionofourmembers’jobsintheshipbuildingindustry.

PublicsectorpayThisconferenceisdismayedbytheGovernment’sdeci-sionnottogivepublicsectorworkersapayincrease.Conferencebelievesthatthisthree-yearpayfreezeis

notanausteritymeasure. It is localgovernmentpoliti-cianswantingtowinvotesbykeepingtheirworkforce’swagesdowntofundcouncil taxfreezes.Publicsectorworkershaveseentheirpayfall inreal

termsbyover15percent.Theemployersalsowanttoenterdiscussionswiththeunionsonapackageofreformsofpayandconditions.Wemustopposeanyfurthercuts.ConferencecallsonUCATTandtheECto fight

thesecuts.

RedBookagreementThisconferencerecognisesandisconcernedattheincreasedactivitybylocalauthorityemployerstocalltimeontheNationalCraftWorkersandAssociatedWorkersAgreement–“TheRedBook”.Theseattacks, ifsuccessful,willmostcertainlyhaveamostseriousdetrimentaleffectonworkers’termsandconditions;furthermore,UCATT’sabilitytonegotiateatall levelswilldiminishandeventuallycease.Conferencebelievesthereisnoalternativebutto

mountavigorous,systematiccampaignandcallsontheExecutiveCouncil tocontinuetouseeverymeansatitsdisposaltodefendtheRedBook.

In-housedirectlabourThedemiseof in-houseDLOshasseennotonlyawors-eningofworkers’termsandconditionsbutalsosavagejoblosses.Privatecompaniescangobustandcommunitiescan

beleftwithoutessentialservices. It isourbelief that it isincouncils’andtenants’best intereststotakeservicesbackintothecouncil.Whenperformanceanddeliveryaremeasuredin

social termsthenit isthepublicsectorratherthantheprivatesectorwhichisthemostefficient, themosteffectiveandprovidesthenecessaryaccountability.Conferenceisawareofthechangingfaceof local

authorityworkplaces.Conferencehasseentheout-sourcingofALMOsandLLPsbeingsetupalloverthecountry.WearenowseeingthenewphasesofSec-ondaryStageTransferstakingplaceandtheconcernsthis ishavingonourmembers.Conferenceisencouragedbythenewsthatanumber

ofALMOsareconsideringorhavetransferredbackintolocalcouncilcontrolsincethecompletionofthedecenthomeprogramme.ConferencerecognisesthatthetransferofALMOs

backintolocalgovernmentcontrolgivesUCATTtheopportunitytoopendiscussionsabouttheemploy-mentofdirect labourforthebuilding,maintenanceandmodernisationofcouncilhousestockandcouncil-ownedbuildings.ConferencerequeststhattheGeneralSecretaryand

ExecutiveCouncil takestepstoensureacampaignisraisedagainstanyfurtherattacksbypoliticianstoout-sourcelocalauthoritiesanyfurther.

HSEcutsandfatalitiesThisGovernment’sattemptatcuttingredtapeisbeingpaidforwiththedeathsofconstructionworkers.It isaworryingsignthatthedeathrateinour industry

–50deathsfor2010/11–hasonceagainrisenandthisagainstthedeclineofnumbersemployedinthecon-structionindustryduetothepresenteconomicclimate.Aworryingtrendhasemergedoverthepasttwo

years, thisbeingthehighnumbersofself-employedbeingkilledattheirplaceofwork;anotherworryingfac-tor isdeathsduetofalls fromheight.UndertheTory-ledGovernment,enforcementactivi-

tieshavealreadyfallentoanall-timelow.Governmentcutswillmakeit impossiblefortheHSEtoensurework-placesafety.ConferencenotesthattheHSEfacesspendingcutsof

at least35percentoverthreeyears, leadingtoanesti-matedbudgetreductionofover£80millionperyearby2014/15,apossible700redundanciesandofficeclo-sures.UCATTbelievesthattheclosureoftheHSE’s Infoline

will result in itbecomingimpossibleforworkersorthepublictoreportdangerousworkingpracticestotheHSE.UCATTcondemnsthereckless implementationof

proposalstodismantlemuch-neededprotectionsfor

workersandthecommunitiestheyserve.UCATTrejectsanyassertionthatregulationisanti-

competitiveoraconstraintonbusiness.Successfulbusinessesdon’t fearregulation.Theoutcomeoftheseattacksdressedupasexpendi-

tureefficiencieswill leadtoincreasedfatalitiesandinjuries intheworkplace,togetherwithfurtherrisesinlong-termindustrial illnessanddiseases.ConferencerequeststheGeneralSecretaryandthe

ExecutiveCouncil to:–LaunchavigorousdefenceoftheHSEandtheHealthandSafetyatWorkAct1974,togetherwithjointprotestactionwithothertradeunionsandcampaigngroups.–Continuetolobbyforbetterenforcementmecha-nismsandtoresistanyfurthercuts infundingforenforcementandadvisorybodies.

LöfstedtandYoungreportsConferenceisextremelyconcernedatthekeyrecom-mendationsmadeintheLöfstedtreviewandLordYoung’sreportonhealthandsafetyConferenceisalarmedattheeffecttheserecommen-

dationscouldhaveforallconstructionworkers intheUK.Conferenceiswellawarethatconstructionisstillone

ofthemostdangerousindustriesandthesehealthandsafetyrecommendationsandcontinuingderegulationinhealthandsafetybytheTory-ledcoalitionGovern-mentwillonlymakemattersworse.Conferenceagreesthat if theseproposedrecom-

mendationsareimplementeditwouldbedisastrousforour industry.ConferencenotesthattheLöfstedtreportrecom-

mendsthattheself-employedshouldbeexemptfromhealthandsafety laws.Conferencecondemnsthispro-posal.ThereareproposalstoreviewandchangetheWork-

ingatHeightRegulations2005andtheConstruction(HeadProtection)Regulations1989,toscraptherecentConventionalTowerCranesRegulations2010andtoweakenthe1995RIDDORRegulations.Conferenceagreesthattheseproposalsareanout-

rageandwemustdoallwecantostopthembeingimplementedConferencecallsupontheExecutiveCouncil to

ensurethatthis issueistopofUCATT’sagendaandisopposedwithvigourwithacampaignagainsttheGov-ernmentoverthewatering-downofhardfought legisla-tionthatensuresbasichealthandsafetyprotectionforallworkers.

Directors’dutiesConferenceisextremelydismayedatthelackofcareprovidedbyemployerstowardsourmembersintheconstructionindustry.ConferencecallsonUCATTtocontinuetobeatthe

forefrontwhendealingwithemployers.Employersmustensurethatallhealthandsafetyobligationsarefullycompliedwithtoallowthemtoguaranteetheiremploy-ees.UCATTmustcontinuetocampaignfortheimple-mentationofdirectors’dutiesforhealthandsafety.Furthermore,conferencecalls foradditionalpenal-

tiestobeintroducedundertheHealthandSafetyatWorkActandfornegligentemployersandcompanydirectorswhoarepersistentoffenderstobeprohibitedfromtrading.

Cost-chargingbytheHSEUCATTwelcomestheintroductionofcost-chargingbytheHSEandbelievesthatanymoniesraisedmustbeusedasadditional fundingtohelpensureworkers’safety.However,UCATTcanonlysupporttheintroductionof

cost-chargingwherecompanieswillbechargedthecostofadministeringenforcementnotices,prohibitionnoticesandotheractionsthatmaybecovered, if thefol-lowingprinciplesareapplied:–Costrecoverymustbelinkedtothepreventionofacci-dentsandformpartofapro-activeinspectionandinter-ventionstrategy.–AllproceedsfromcostrecoverymustbereinvestedintheHSE.–Theintroductionofcostrecoverymustnotbeusedasanalternativetoprosecutionor leadtoadecreaseintheprosecutionofcompanieswhobreaksafety laws.ConferencenotesthattheHSEintendstoestablish

anappealspanel,wherecompaniescanchallengecostrecoverynotices.ConferencecallsontheExecutiveCouncil tocam-

paign:–Toensurethatallelementsoftheconstructionindus-try, includingtradeunions,arerepresentedonsuchapanel.–Thatanycompanythat is foundtohavefrivolouslychallengedacostrecoverynoticebesubjecttoapenalty inadditiontotheoriginalcostrecoverynoticeofat leastequaltotheamountoftheoriginalcostrecov-erynotice.

AsbestosandinsurancecompaniesConferenceisawarethattheScottishGovernmentpassedtheDamages(Asbestos-RelatedConditions)

(Scotland)Act2009toallowcompensationforUCATTmembersinScotlandwhosuffer fromasbestos-relatedconditions.ThisActhasbeenviciouslyattackedandchallenged

ateveryopportunitybyoutragedinsurancecompanies,whohaveattemptedtoandfailedtooverturnthelegis-lation.Conferenceisconcernedthattheseinsurancecom-

panieswillcontinuetoresist this legislationandcon-tinuetochallengeitateveryopportunity.ThisconferenceonbehalfofallUCATTmemberscalls

ontheEC:–tostartacampaignagainsttheseunscrupulousinsur-ancecompanieswhoopposethecompensationofUCATTmembersstruckdownbyasbestos-relatedcon-ditions;–tonameandshametheseunscrupulousinsurancecompaniesthroughallmeansatourdisposalsuchasthemediaandatthesametimemakingitcleartothesecompaniesexactlywhywearehighlightingtheiractions–becauseweareappalledattheirbehaviourandtheirendeavourstoavoidpayingcompensationtoanyworkerwhohasbeenaffectedorstruckdownbyasbestosorasbestos-relateddiseases.

AsbestosinschoolsConferencerecognisestheexcellentworkcarriedoutbyourunioninhighlightingthedangersofasbestosinallbuildingsbothprivateandpublicsector.ConferenceisdismayedtohearthattheConDem

Governmentplanstoshift theresponsibility fordealingwithasbestosinschoolsfromlocalauthoritiestoschoolgovernors.Conferenceisconcernedthatthisactionof

placingtheresponsibilityontheschoolmanagement,whohavenoexpertiseorknowledgeofasbestos,wouldonlyheightenthedangersfacinganyoneworkingorbeingtaughtwhenattendingthesepremises.ConferencecallsontheExecutivetocampaign

againsttheseludicrousplans,byhighlightingtheseactionsandpotentialdangersthroughthemediaandallpoliticalavenuestoensurethattheseplansarethwarted.

CSCSThisconferenceacknowledgesthedifficultiesfacingtheCSCSschemeintheconstructionindustrybecauseofthelargenumberofothercardschemesinplace, forexamplescaffolding,CPCSandinScotland,theScot-tishConstructionOperativesRegistrationExecutive(SCORE).Webelievethetimehascometocall foronecard

schemewithintheconstructionindustrythatwillbringall thedifferentcardschemestogether.WecallontheExecutiveCouncil to lookattakingthis

issueforwardinorderthatour industryhasacompe-tencycardfit forpurpose.Wealsocall foramorestringenthealthandsafety

requirementforoperativesholdingthecard.

PhoenixfirmsConferencerecognisestheExecutiveCouncil’sefforts inhighlightingthedespicablepracticeofso-calledphoenixcompanies.Negligentemployersresponsibleforaworker’s

deathmerelygointoliquidationtoavoidthecourts,andthencontinuetradinginanothercompanyname,sometimesusingthesamepremisesandequipment.ConferencecallsonUCATTtomountavigorouscam-

paigntooutlawthepractice.WeurgethattheLucindaBergerPrivateMember’sBillonphoenixcompaniesgetsfullsupportofconferenceandthatallmembersofUCATTseekthesupportoftheirMPs.

TemperatureandoutdoorworkingConferencenotesthattherearenorulescoveringextremelyhotorcoldtemperaturesforworkersoperat-ingoutdoors.Theuncomfortableworkingconditionswehavebeenhavingoverthelast fewyearsaffectpeo-ple intheirworkingenvironment; thisalsotriggersail-mentsthattheysufferduringthesehighandlowsum-merandwintertemperatures,makingitmostuncom-fortabletoworkin.Conferencefurthernotesthatmanyconstruction

employersfail totakeproperresponsibility forthehealth,safetyorwelfareoftheirworkforceinextremeweatherconditions.Inextremelycoldweather it isessential thatextra

measuresareput inplacesuchasadditionalbreaksandwarmdrinksprovidedfreeofcharge, inordertoensurethatworkersdonotexperienceproblemsrelatedtocoldstressorhypothermia.Workersshouldalsoreceivetrainingandadviceabouthowtospottheearlywarningsignsofcoldstressandhypothermiainordertoprotectthemselvesandtheir fellowworkers.Equallyworkersneedtobeeducatedaboutthedan-

gersofbeinginthesunfor longperiodsandhowtoensurethattheirhealth isnotdamagedbybeingexposedtoUVrays. Inparticularlyhightemperaturesemployersshouldprovidefreewaterwhichiseasilyaccessibletoworkers inordertoensurethatthedan-gersofdehydrationandheatstressareavoided.ConferencecallsontheExecutiveCouncil towork

withtheTUCtomountacampaigntoensurethatallworkers,especiallyconstructionworkerswhoworkintheopen,areproperlyprotectedfromextremeweatherproblems.ConferencefurthercallsontheECtocampaignto

ensurethatallconstructionemployersdonotriskthehealthoftheirworkforcebynotundertakingmeasurestoprotectthemfromtheeffectsofextremeweather.

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FERENCETHEDECISIONS IN FULL 3

OccupationalhealthandscreeningHistorically, theconstructionindustryhaspooroccupa-tionalhealthstandards.Conferencecalls forconsiderationtobegiventothe

introductionofhealthscreeningforallvulnerablework-ers.Healthscreeningwouldbeasignificantcontribu-tiontothereductionoffatalities, thereforeincreasingthelongevityofthematureandexperiencedworkforce.Regularoccupationalhealthcheckswouldcertainly

improvethehealthandsafetyofourmembers.Asaunion,weareaddressinghealthandsafety in

construction;nowit’stimetoaddressoccupationalhealthonsites.

SafetyreptrainingConferenceisawareoftheproposedchangestotheHealthandSafetyExecutiveandthelossofservicesthroughbudgetconstraintsbytheConDemalliance.WecallontheExecutiveCouncil totakestepsthatraiseUCATT’sconcerns,andcampaignforchangestobemadetoprotectthemostvulnerableworkerswhomthiswillaffect,particularlytheconstructionindustryworkforce.Conferencealsorecognisestheworkandeffort that

hasgoneintotheunion’strainingofsafetyrepsforourindustry; thisexpertiseshouldberewardedbytheintroductionof legislationtoallowforrovingsafetyrepstobeutilisedwithinour industry.WethereforecallontheExecutivetoincludethis inthecampaign.

SafetyawarenessUCATTbelievesthatsafetyawarenessamongbuildingworkers isakeyfactor in improvingtheconstructionindustry’sappallingsafetyrecord.Conferencebelievesthatakeyelement inachieving

this istheintroductionofacompulsorysafetyaware-nesstrainingprogrammeforallconstructionworkers.ConferencecallsontheExecutiveCouncil to launcha

nationalpublicitycampaigninsupportofthisandtoraisethematteratallappropriate industrybodiesincludingCONIACandCSCS.

HealthandsafetyforumThereisnodoubtthatconstructionisoneofthemostdangerousindustries intheUKandUCATThasalwaysbelievedthatthetrainingofsafetyrepsisthebestwayofhelpingtomaintainthesafetyofworkersacrosstheindustry.In lightofall theattacksonhealthandsafetyfromthe

presentGovernment,acoordinateddefencecampaignisrequired.Thesafetyrep’srole ispivotalandit isvitalweupdate

theirknowledgeandprovidethemwithinvaluableadvicetohelpthemgethealthandsafetyprioritisedintheirorganisationsandbestpracticeguidancetoimple-ment intheirworkforce,alongwithskillsupdatesto

helpkeeptheircontinuingtrainingdevelopmentsuptoscratch.WecallontheExecutiveCouncil to lookatthefeasi-

bilityofholdingaseriesofregionalsafetyeventsfol-lowedbyanationalhealthandsafetyconferencetomaintainourreputationasthecampaigninguniononhealthandsafety intheconstructionindustry.

ConstructionSafetyCampaignConferencewishestoexpressitscontinuingsupport fortheConstructionSafetyCampaign.Conferencerecognisesthecontributionmadebythe

CSCinhighlightingtheissueofhealthandsafety intheconstructionindustry.Conferencealsocommendstheirefforts intherecog-

nitionof28Aprilas InternationalWorkersMemorialDay,ontheongoinghazardscampaignagainstasbestosuseandthefightfor justiceforthosewhohavebeenexposedtoitandtheirworkinthedevelop-mentofdeathatworkrelativesupportgroups.Weaskconferencetocontinueitssupportofaffilia-

tiontotheConstructionSafetyCampaign.

Hand-armvibrationsyndromeConferencerecognisesthatconstructionworkersusepowertoolsonaregularbasisaspartoftheirday-to-dayduties.Whenusingthesetoolsvibrationistrans-mittedintotheworker’shandsandarms.Overaperiodoftimethisregularhand-armvibration

canresult inanumberofconditionscollectivelyknownashand-armvibrationsyndrome(HAVS).Conferenceremainsdeeplyconcernedthatevery

yearthereareabout3,000newclaimsfor industrialinjurydisablementbenefitduetohealthconditionsthathavedevelopedasaconsequenceofvibration.TheControlofVibrationatWorkRegulations2005

clearlyplaceadutyontheemployertoprotect itswork-ersfromriskstohealthandsafetyfromvibration.ConferencecallsontheExecutiveCouncil to:

–Raisethis issuewithoursponsoredMPs.–Continueitsgoodworkonthis issueandbringthecampaigntomoreprominence.–LookatwaysinwhichtheycanhelpUCATTsafetyrepshavematerialavailabletogetthismessageontosites,forexampleposters, leafletsetc.

ScissorliftsConferenceisconcernedattheincreasedlevelof fatali-tiesandseriousaccidents inour industryoverthepastfewyearsthathaveinvolvedpoweredaccessmachin-ery, inparticulartheuseofscissor lifts.Conferenceisawarethatamajorflawonthescissor

lifts istheemergencyloweringreleasemechanisms,whichdifferbetweentypesofscissor lift.Conferencebelievesthatall typesofscissor lift

shouldhaveastandardisedemergencyloweringmech-anism.ConferencecallsontheExecutiveCouncil to lobby

theHealthandSafetyExecutiveandtheGovernmentwiththehelpofourUCATT-sponsoredMembersofPar-liamenttocampaignandputpressureonthepoweredaccessmanufacturerstoredesignallscissor liftswiththesamestandardisedemergencyreleasesystem.

RetirementageConferencecallsontheExecutiveCouncilandtheGen-eralSecretarytovigorouslycampaignagainstanyincreasetotheretirementagewithintheUKbythisoranyfutureGovernment.Conferencealsocalls foracampaigntogetareduc-

tionintheretirementageforthosewhohavespentsig-nificanttimewithintheconstructionindustry inordertoprotectthehealthandsafetyofconstructionworkersandmanualworkersalliedtoour industryandtoensureincreasedjobopportunitiesforyoungerpeoplewishingtocomeintotheindustry.Thiscouldalsotakeintoaccountthosewhohaveleft

constructionyearsearly,possiblyasaresultofaninjuryor illnessor justworndownbytheextreme,harshenvi-ronmentthey’vehadtoendure.

PublicsectorpensionsConferencecontinuestoopposetheGovernment’sattemptstomakechangestothepublicsectorpensionschemeandfullysupports industrialactiontoachievethis ifnecessary.

PrivatesectorpensionsThevastmajorityofprivatesectorconstructionworkersdonothaveaprivatesectorpension.Thosefewthatdohaveapensionarehighlyunlikely

tobesavingsufficientamountsfortheiroldage.Theintroductionofnewruleswhichwillauto-enrol

workersonapensionscheme,beginninglaterthisyear,arewelcome.However,conferenceisconcernedthattheGovernment iswateringdowntheproposalsbydelayingwhensmallcompanieswillhavetoenrol theirmembers.Thiswill result inthousandsofconstructionworkerssufferingafurtherdelaybeforetheycanbegintosavefortheir future.It isvital that, if theseproposalsaregoingtoworkin

construction,theB&CEschemeisthedefaultscheme

forworkers.TheB&CEschemeisportable,meaningthatasworkersmovejobstheyremainabletocontinuetosaveandarenotpenalised.However, it isessential thatcompaniesdonottryto

avoidpayingpensionsbyforcingworkerstobecomefalselyself-employedorothersuchdeviousmeans,whichwill result inworkerscontinuingtoretire intopoverty.ConferencecallsontheExecutiveCouncil tocontinue

toensurethattheB&CEpensionschemeisthepre-emi-nentschemeforconstructionworkersandthatcon-structionworkersareabletoachieveadecentpension.Companieswhotrytoavoidtheir responsibilitiestotheirworkforce,byavoidingthenewauto-enrolmentrules,shouldbenamedandshamed.

LabourlinkandselectionsConference recognises the importanceofUCATT’spoliticalactivitywithin theLabourParty.This iswhy it isessential that the linkbetweenthe

LabourPartyandtheunionswhichhelpedto found itover 100yearsago isnotonlymaintainedbutstrengthened.Themembershipofaffiliated tradeunionsprovide theLabourPartywitha link to theordi-naryworkingpeoplewhoare thebackboneofLabour’ssupport.Conference recognises the importanceof links

betweentheLabourPartyandthe tradeunionmove-ment. It also recognises theneed forengagementofUCATTmembers innationaland localpolitical issuesinorder to further thecauseofconstructionworkers.ConferencecallsupontheGSandtheECtosupport

the reformof theLabourPartybyending theundemo-cratic selectionprocesswhereordinarymembersareoverlooked in favourofparachuted-in individualswithno links to theconstituencies theyarechosento rep-resentandtoensure thatourmembersareactivelyincluded in theselectionofcandidates.Conferencealsocalls for the following tostrengthen

its linkswith theLabourParty:–Sendaclearmessage to theparty thatpartnershipsare two-way; to thisend for theLabourParty toshowdirectionandsupport forUCATT’smembershipandtheir families.–Rejectanyproposals toalter thebalanceof influenceof theunionsoverLabourPartypolicy-making.–EncourageUCATTmembers, via theBuildingWorkerandthe regional councils, toconsiderLabourPartymembership,branchaffiliation,participationandinvolvement in localandnationalLabour issuesandcampaigns.–That the leadershipofourunionactivelyworksto reclaimourparty in the interestsofworkingclasspeople.

NationalpoliticalnetworkThisconferencerecognisesthegoodprogressthatUCATThasmadethroughitspoliticalandparliamentaryworkbutnowneedstobuilduponthatprogressbylink-ingtheregionswithacoordinatedandstrategicpoliti-calagenda,thecoreaimbeingtoelectUCATTmemberstocouncils,assembliesandparliaments.Toachievethisconferenceagreesto:

–Theestablishmentofanationalpoliticalnetwork.–ThenationalpoliticalnetworktooperatetoanannualplanasagreedbytheExecutiveCouncil.–Eachregiontoappointanindividualtoactasaregionalpoliticalcontact.–Theregionalpoliticalcontactwillbeanunpaidroleandmaybetakenupbyanyofficialoractivistwithintheregion,subjecttoGeneralSecretaryapproval.–Theregionalpoliticalcontactwillbetaskedwithliais-ingwithregionalTULOsandtofeedbacktothenationalnetworkissuesofacontemporarynature.–Theregionalpoliticalcontactwillensuremaximumimpactwithintheregiononnationalpoliticalcam-paigns.–TheregionalpoliticalcontactwillensuremaximumbranchaffiliationtoConstituencyLabourParties(CLPs).–ThenationalpoliticalofficerwillactasaleadwithinthenationalpoliticalnetworkwithdirectreportingresponsibilitytotheGeneralSecretary.–Thenationalpoliticalnetworkwillmeetbi-monthly.

ProgressConferencecallsontheECandtheGStocallontheleadershipoftheLabourPartytoinitiateaninquiry intotherollofProgresswithinourparty.ConferencebelievesthattheexistenceofProgress

withinourpartyhasthepotential todistort thedemoc-raticprocesswithintheparty.It isunderstoodthatthisorganisationwithinthe

LabourPartyhasraisedsignificantfundsthatamounttoasmuchas£3million,whichis inexcessofthatraisedbyPlaidCymru,theGreenPartyandtheSNP.Conferenceasksthisquestion: isthisapartywithina

party?AndthereforewecallupontheECandtheGSthroughourrepresentationontheNECoftheLabourPartytobeginaninquiry intothelegalityofsuchanorganisationexistingwithintheframeworkofthepartyanditsconstitution.

GovernmentinvestmentConferencecalls for continuedpressure tobeplacedontheUKGovernment todomore for theconstructionindustryandourmemberswhowork in it.Conference recognises that thedangerous ideolog-

icalapproachbeingpursuedby theGovernment thatwould result indevastating job losses in theconstruc-tion industryhasbeen justifiedby theeventsof thelast twoyears.Conferencebelieves that the lackofdomestic confi-

denceand failureof theGovernment tostimulatedemand in theeconomy is the reasonthatanewapproach focusedonbuildingasuccessfuleconomytoboostgrowthand lowerunemployment is thechal-lenge facing theGovernmentacross theUK.–Conferencecallson theExecutiveCouncil tocam-paign for thecoalitionGovernment to:–Postpone fiscal consolidationuntil there isasustain-abledemand-ledeconomy.– Implementan infrastructureplanwith further invest-ments inourschools,hospitalsand infrastructure tolowerunemploymentandcreateskilled jobs.–Establishagrowthstrategy for theeconomy, includ-ingkickstarting theconstruction industry.– Introducemeasures thatwill prevent taxavoidancebyconstructioncompanies.

NHSprivatisationConference isappalledby theGovernment’sattemptstodismantle theNHS.These reforms, ifdelivered,will allowprivatecom-

panies tomanagecommissioningandserviceprovi-siononbehalfofGPs,andultimately turn theNHS intolittlemore thanabrandnameattachedtoa rangeofcompetingserviceswithina fragmentedhealthsys-tem.Asaunionwewillopposeany reformto theNHS

thatseeks toundermine theprincipleof freeuniversalhealthcare.Conference instructs theGeneralSecretaryandthe

ExecutiveCouncil tocampaignagainst theprivatisa-tionof theNHS.

TradeunionrepsConference recognisesandsupports theeconomicandsocial valueof tradeunionrepresentatives inboth thepublicandprivatesector,andthevaluableroll theyplay inensuringeffective industrial relations.Conferencedeploresattacksby thisGovernment

andothersgroup,suchas theTaxpayers’Alliance,onthecostsassociatedwith tradeuniondutieswithouttaking intoaccount thebillionsofpoundsworthofproductivity theygenerate.Conferencecallson theGeneralSecretaryandthe

ExecutiveCouncil topromoteand influence the reviewofemployment lawto reinforce the legal statusoftradeunion representatives.

WelfarereformConferencenotes that it is the intentionof theGovern-ment to introduceaWelfareReformBill.Webelievethiswillplace financial restraintsonourmemberswhohaveadisabilitydue toanaccidentwhileworking intheconstruction industry.Noworkerdeliberatelygoes toworkwith the inten-

tionof injuring themselvesandsuffering long-termeffectsdue toadisability.Conferencecallson theGeneralSecretaryandECto

campaignagainst thisBill by lobbyingMembersofParliament includingoursponsoredMPstoensurethere isactiveopposition to thisConDemproposal.

FuelpovertyFuelpovertyhasbeenwithus forquiteanumberofyearsbutwithever increasing fuelbills it isgettingsig-nificantlymoredifficult for theelderly, vulnerableandlowwageearners tomakethechoicebetweenamealorkeepingwarm.Withunemploymentbeinghigh,moreandmore

people in theUnitedKingdomare falling into thiscate-gory;unless theGovernmentdoessomething toaddress thepresentsituation,alongwith the fueldis-tributors,anunmanageablesituation isgoing toarisealongwithgreatercasesofhospitalisationandhigherdeath ratesbeing thenorm.Thereturnofusing theRPI insteadofCPIshouldbe

theway interest is calculatedandshouldberevertedback toby theConDemGovernment; thiswouldhelpmanycaught in thissituationas theywouldhavemoremoney tohelp themthantheyhaveunder thecurrentsystem.The timehascomefor theGovernment toactand

help themany in thiscountry trapped in thissituationthroughno faultof theirown; it iseither thatorahigheruptake inhospitalbedsduetocold-related ill-nesses, thusputtingabiggerburdenontoouralreadyoverstretchedNHS.

BNPandEDLTheBNPhas failedandseemstohave fragmentedintoseveralotherundesirablegroupssuchas theNorthWest Infidels, theBFP �

4 UCATTNATIONALDELEGATECONFERENCETHEDECISIONS IN FULL(BritishFreedomParty)andtheEDL.Themain threatnowcomes fromtheEDL; it is

nowgalvanising largesectionsofsupportamongtheworkingclass; it canmobilisehundredsof itsviolentstreetmilitia thugs to rampagethroughour townsandcitiesattackingmosques,placesofworship,ethnicminorities,anti-racists,politicalopponentsandtradeunionists.Theyaredeterminedtostirup troubleandtension

withaseriesofprovocative forays.The terrifying realityof theConDemcuts,high

unemploymentandeconomicuncertaintyplays intothehandsof theEnglishandScottishDefenceLeagues.Wemust takeseriously the threatpoisedbytheEDLasa far rightneo-fascistorganisation;weonlyhave to lookat thehistoryof the1930s inEurope foraterriblewarningofwhatmaybecomeof theEDLif theyarenotstoppednow.Wehavedefeated theBNPat theballotbox;we

mustnowdefeat theEDLbefore itgrows intoa fullyfledgedmovementwithapoliticalprogramme.Weask theECtoexpressourabsoluteopposition to

the far rightandtouse its influencewithin theTUC.Thisconferencecallson theECtovigorouslydefend

the rightsofallworkingclasspeoplebyengagingwithUniteAgainstFascismandotherssupporting,organis-ingandopposing these fascistandracistswhopedalhatredonourstreetsand inourcommunities.

People’sCharterConferencecallson theECto renewand intensifyUCATT’ssupportandpromotionof thePeople’sChar-terwith thecapitalist crisisbeingusedto inflict severeandtotallyunnecessarypainontheworkingclass.The labourmovementpoliticallyand industrially

needs toprojecta realalternative toausterity.ThePeople’sCharterprovides thatplatform.

ShrewsburyPicketsThisyearmarks the40thanniversaryof the1972nationalbuildingworkers’strike.It is40yearssince theToryGovernment,alongwith

McAlpine’s, setout tomakeexamplesofourbrothersusing theonlycharge thatwasalmost impossible tooverturn–conspiracy.All theotherchargesagainstourbrothersweredropped,as theywereopentoachallenge.Conferencenotes thatourunionhasplacedthedis-

gracefularrest,prosecutionandconvictionof theShrewsburyPicketsbackontheTUCagenda.Conference re-endorsesUCATT’scall foraparlia-

mentary inquiry thatshould include:–That the inquiryencompassesalldates followingand including6September1972upuntil the releaseofDennisWarrenandEricTomlinson.–A freedomof information request for the releaseofallGovernmentandpolicepapers relating to theShrewsbury trials.–Anexaminationofany linkbetweencentralGovern-mentandtheNorthWalesandWestMerciapolicedivi-sions’ investigations.–Any linkbetweenUKbuildingemployersandtheConservativeGovernmentandspecificallyHomeSec-retaryRobertCarr.–An investigation into thesystematic intimidationandabusesuffered inprisonbyEricTomlinsonandthelateDennisWarren.ConferencecallsupontheGeneralSecretaryand

ExecutiveCouncil tocontinuecampaigning togetourbrothersexoneratedandtocampaign toget the totalreleaseofallpaperworkpertaining to theevidenceagainst theShrewsbury24.Conference thereforecallson theExecutiveCouncil

tocontinue theirefforts thatwill finallybring justicefor theShrewsburyPickets.

PalestineConferencenotes that itwas30yearsago, 1982, thatthePalestineSolidarityCampaignwasestablished.Conferencealsonotesat theScarboroughconferenceof2004UCATTagreedtoaffiliate to thecampaignandtogive full support to itsaimof justice for thePalestin-ianpeople.Conference isappalledat theactionsofa registered

charitycalled the JewishNational Fund.Thisso-calledcharity raisesmoneyhere in theUKanduses thefunds for theacquisitionandcontrolof land in Israelandtheoccupied territories,activelydiscriminatingagainst thePalestinianpeople.Conferencecallson theExecutiveCouncil tocam-

paignandexpose the roleof the JewishNational Fundin theoppressionof thePalestiniansandtohave theircharitablestatus revoked.Conferencewould like to reaffirm itssupport for the

PalestineSolidarityCampaignand inparticular thecentral themesof:1.Ending thesiegeofGaza;2.Buildingwith theTUContheagreedpolicyofBDS:boycott,divestmentandsanctionsagainst Israel;3.Stopping Israel’s continuedcolonisation throughsettlementsandtheethniccleansinganddestructionofPalestinian life in Jerusalem.

IranConferenceviewswithconcernthattheAmericannavyiscurrentlythrowingaveryphysicalandthreateningpresenceintheStraitsofHormuzasonceagainAmer-icaflexesitsmilitarymuscle intheMiddleEast.Thisregionisapoliticallyvolatileareawithaccusationsofhostilenucleararmsbeingproducedbeingreminiscentofthe“weaponsofmassdestruction”warninglevelledat Iraqandthe“waronterror”wagedonAfghanistanbyWesterngovernments.AnyattackonIranortheIranianpeoplecouldleadtoanescalationofhostilitiesbeyondcontemplation.ConferenceinstructstheExecutiveCouncil toopposeanypotentialoreventualmilitaryattackonIran.

GlobalbanonasbestosConferenceacknowledgesthetremendouscampaignworkdonebyIBASandthecampaignforaglobalbanonasbestos.Asbestoshasclaimedthelivesofthousandsofpeo-

pleacrosstheUKanduntoldnumbersofvictimsglob-allybutstillunscrupulouscountriescontinuetopro-duceandexportthisdeadlysubstanceacrosstheworldbutprincipallytothecountriesoftheThirdWorld.Toexacerbatematters,equallyunscrupuloustrade

unionsinsomeoftheseasbestosproducingandexportingcountriescontinuetopeddlethemythaboutthesafetyofasbestosandinparticularchrysotile.ConferencecallsontheECandtheGStodoevery-

thingintheirpowertosupportthecampaignforaglobalbanonasbestosandworkalongsideorganisa-tionslikeIBASwhoareinmanycasesthevoiceofthevoicelessandwhocarryoutsterlingworkinexposingthesecountriesandcompaniesandsomeoftheir lick-spittlerepresentativesinso-calledtradeunions.ThisbranchcallsontheECandtheGStoundertake

thefollowingontheissueofasbestos:–WorkwithorganisationslikeIBAS;–Workwithourdomesticpartners inasbestossupportgroupsintheUK;–CampaignviatheEFBWWandtheBWIaswellasourcomradesintheUITBB;–Exposethosetradeunionswhoareknowinglyexpos-ingtheirmemberstotherisksofasbestos.Conferenceacknowledgesthat inthedeveloping

worldtherearesometradeunionsthatareawareofthedangersofasbestosandonlycountenanceitsuseforpurelyeconomicreasonswhilstatthesametimeacknowledgingtherisksandwherethis isthecaseweshoulddoallwecantoencouragethoseofusinthedevelopedworldtohelpthemwithsaferalternatives.

InternationalismConferencecallsontheECandtheGStocontinuewithourunion’ssplendidexampleof internationalism.Conferencecallsupontheleadershipofourunionto

strengthenourrelationshipwiththeBWIandtoretainourexcellentcordial relationshipwithourbrothersandsisters intheUITBB.Conferenceacknowledgesthethreatsworkersface

globallyespeciallysincethecrisis incapitalismandthemisery ithasbroughttomillionsofpeopleacrossourglobe,nonemoresothanthealreadypoorandimpov-erishedpeopleoftheThirdWorld.Conferencecalls forouruniontocontinuewithour

affiliationstothePalestineSolidarityCampaign,theCubaSolidarityCampaignandtheJusticeforColombiaCampaignandtocontinuetosupporttheBolivarianrevolutioninLatinAmerica.ConferencecongratulatestheECinitsdecisionto

sendayouthdelegatetoCubaandasksthatthisbecomesanannualeventwitheachregionhavinganopportunitytonominateayouthdelegatetoattendandparticipateinthebrigade.

PanamaBuildingWorkerhasreportedthattradeunionists inPanamaareexperiencingpersecutionandthatsometradeunionistshavebeenassassinated.Theauthori-tieswerealsotryingtodenyworkerstherighttoformtradeunions.Itappearsthattheseproblemsareworseforcon-

structionworkersandthatSuntracs, thenationalcon-structionworkers’union,hasbeenparticularlytar-geted.ConferenceasksthatUCATTworkswithotherorgani-

sationstoprovidehelpandsupport forconstructiontradeunionistsfromPanamatostopthesepracticesandtopreventthesituationinPanamaworseningandbecomingsimilartothatofneighbourColombia.

ChildpovertyAccordingtoarecentreport fromSavetheChildren,aquarterofyoungchildrenintheworlddonotreceivesufficientnutrients inordertogrowproperly.Alreadythereare170millionchildrenagedunderfive

whosedevelopmenthasbeenstuntedbymalnutrition.Everyhour300childrendieofmalnutrition.Theprob-lemisbecomingmoreextremeduetoarecentrapidriseinfoodpricescausedbyextremeweather,divertingfarmingtogrowbio-fuels,Early interventionmeansthatmuchofthelife-long

physicalandmentalstuntingfrommalnutritioncanbealleviated,enablingindividualstoreachtheirpotential.SavetheChildrenestimatesthat$10billionspentonbasic interventionswouldsave2millionlivesayearand60millionchildrenwouldbesavedfromstunting.ConferenceaskstheECtocampaigntoensurethat

internationaldevelopmentfundingisnotcutbut isincreasedatbothanationalandEuropeanlevelandthatthisfundingisusedtoalleviatepovertyandendchildhoodmisery.

SustainableconstructionConferencebelievesthatthecontinuedvigorouspur-suitof thesustainableconstructionagendawillprovidethefollowingeconomicbenefits:–Reducedenergyusage;–Bringaboutbuildinginnovationmanagement/technologies/policy;–Protectournaturalandsocialenvironment;–Provideahealthycomfortable livingenvironment;–Successfordevelopersandoccupiers;–Provideopportunitiesfortraining,retrainingandup-skillingandemploymentforourmembers;–Securityforgenerationstocome.ConferenceurgentlycallsuponUCATTto:

–LobbythisGovernmenttocreateconfidenceandtherightenvironmentforemployerstoinvest intheinfra-structureandskills forthemanufacturingofenviron-mentalgoodsandservices.–Encourageallemployerstoinvest inbestpracticetrainingfor lowcarbonconstruction.–Createapartnershipagendatosupportpathwaysintothelowcarbonconstructionindustryforyoungpeople,womenandethnicminorities.–EnsurethatUCATThasasignatoryrole insupportingandmentoringapprenticeshipsofallagesinthesus-tainableconstructionindustry.

ActivistsacademyandconvenersThisconferencecallsontheECtocontinueitsworkinpromotingtrainingforUCATTmembers.ConferencecallsupontheECtocontinuethesuc-

cessful introductionoftheActivistsAcademytoallUCATTregionsandtocontinuetoeducateourmembersintobecomingactivetradeunionists.Conferencenotesthepositiveoutcomeoftheinitial

ActivistsAcademyintheNorthWest.Conferencebelievesthattheextensionofthe

ActivistsAcademywillensurethattheGeneralSecre-tary/ExecutiveCouncil, inconsultationwiththerele-vantRegionalSecretaryandRegionalCouncil,willbeabletoselect fromagroupofexceptionallywell trainedandtalentedtradeunionistswhenappointingprivatesectorconvenersandunionofficials inthefuture.ConferencecallsupontheExecutiveCouncil to

urgentlysupplementtheActivistsAcademywithafullprogrammeoftraininganddevelopment inordertomeetUCATT’sadvancedtrainingneeds.

BranchstructureandorganisationThisconferencenotesthatbranchlifehaschangeddra-matically fromitsconceptiontothepresentday.It is theviewofthisconferencethatnewmodern

ideasareconsideredandpilotedand,whenamemberjoinstheunion,theywillbeplacedinthebranchclosesttotheirhomeaddress.ConferenceinstructstheExecutiveCouncil, following

thefullestpossibleconsultation,toplacebeforeNDC2014proposalsfortherestructuringofourbranchsys-

temsoastoensurebranchesplayameaningfulrole intherunningofUCATTandthatourdemocraticsystemsensurethemaximumparticipationofourmembers.Suchareportmustgiveconsiderationto:

–Areviewofbranchstrategyinordertomodernisewhilemaintainingpurpose;–Howbranchattendancecanincrease;–Setuptrainingprogrammestodevelopmembers’capabilities inrunningbranches;–Openinguppartofbranchtimetoanadvicesurgeryforpotentialnewmembers;–SupportandencourageUCATTmemberstotakepartinourunion’sactivitieswheretheyaretemporarily liv-ingawayfromhome.

ModerntradeunionBranchbelievesthatwithanewGeneralSecretaryatthehelmUCATTcannowmoveforwardintothe21stcenturyasamoderntradeunioninallaspects.Confer-encemustpermittheGSandECtoexamineallourmethodsofworkinginthisregard.Regionsandbranchesmustbeinvitedtohaveinput.Fortoolongwehaveremainedweddedtothepast. Ifapplicable,anydocumentation/proposalsshouldbeforwardedtoregionsandbranchesnolaterthanJanuary2014andfinallyplacedbeforethatyear’sNDC.

GratitudeThisconferencerecognisesthedifficultcircumstancestheExecutiveCouncilhasexperiencedinmanagingtheunion’sbusinessovertherecent12months.Thisconfer-encewishestoputonrecorditsthanksandgratitudetotheECforthewayithasconductedtheunion’sbusinessinchallengingtimes.Thisconferencealsowishestoputonrecordits

appreciationtoGeorgeGuyfortheprofessionalismhehasdemonstratedinhisroleasGeneralSecretaryprotemuntil theelectionofournewGeneralSecretarySteveMurphy.ThisconferenceisofnodoubtthatBroMurphywillensurethatthisuniononceagainpunchesaboveitsweightinindustrialandpoliticalcircles,whichwillhelptoensuretheunion’slongevityandunityofpurposefortheforeseeablefuture.

UCATTindependenceandfinancesThisconferencecallsontheECtocontinueitsgoodworkinmaintainingthisunionasanindependentunion.ConferencefurtherreaffirmsthepolicyoftheNDCto

keepUCATTastrong, financially independentunionandcallsontheExecutivetotakestepstomaintainthis.WewishSteveMurphyeverysuccessinthefuture

withhisnewandverychallengingrole.ConferencecongratulatesthenewGeneralSecretary

onhiselectionandcallsonhiminhispositionasNationalTreasurertokeeptheunionfinanciallystrong.

ModerntechnologyConferencecallsontheuniontoembracethemoderntechnologyavailabletoourmembersandofficialstodayandtochargetheECandournewGeneralSecre-tarywiththetaskofbringingourproudtradeunionintotouchwiththechangestotechnologyinourmodernworld.Ourofficialsneedtohaveconstantaccesstothe

internetwithadevicethatcandisplayeasilyreadablecontent.Intoday’sage,aresolutionsuchasthisshouldbe

acceptablebymeansofanemail,notonlybypostorfax.

�

UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012�11

SUSTAINABLESOCIALHOUSINGBycombiningcutting-edgegreen

technologieswithtraditionalbuildingtechniques,Wakefieldand

DistrictHousing(WDH)is,withUCATTsupport,notonlytacklingclimatechange.Itisalsocreatingandprotectingjobs,providing

learningandskillsopportunitiesforitsworkforceandthelocal

communityandengagingwithtenantstopromotesustainablelivingandreducefuelpoverty.

Wakefield and District Housing’s Environ-mentalManagerisDenisDoody.He’salsothe UCATT Executive Council member

fortheYorkshireRegion–andproudthatWDHhasthe UK’s largest “zero carbon” housing develop-ment – the 91-home Park Dale project in Airdale,Castleton. Pointing to the organisation’s latestnew-build and retrofit environmentally-friendlyhousingdevelopments,Doodysaysthattheunionisworking inpartnershipwithWDHtoachieve itsvisionofbecomingcarbonneutralby2016.

“WDH and UCATT both recognise that as thelargest provider of social housing in the Wakefielddistrict,with 31,000homes, the organisationhas akeyroletoplayintacklingclimatechange,”headds.

Code6sustainablehousingThehomesatParkDale,amixtureoftwoandthree-bedroomhousesandbungalowstocaterforarangeof ages and family sizes, were built for WDH bydevelopers Bramalls to thehighestCode6 sustain-ablehousingstandard.Theyareproof, saysDoody,thatthisstandardcanbeachievedusingtraditionalconstructionmethods.

Paul Taylor, WDH’s Special Projects Officer forRegeneration,explainshow:� Each home is connected to a central biomassboiler that uses locally produced wood pellets toprovideheatingandhotwater.

� Every house has a south-facing roof fitted with35m2 of PV (photovoltaic) panels to turn energyfromthesunintoelectricity.�Theair temperature ineachproperty is regulatedbyamechanicalventilationheat recoverysystem.�Everywallhas150mmcavitywallinsulationandinsulatedplasterboard.�Windowsareall triple-glazed.� A “grey water” system allows used water bathsand showers to be recycled to flush toilets. Thehomes are also fitted with low flow taps and haverainwatercollectionbutts.�Thematerials used tobuild thehomeswerepur-chasedfromsustainablesources,with80percentoftimber fromrecycledmaterial.� The homes are designed to be easily adaptedthroughout people’s lifetimes – the bungalows arewheelchairaccessibleandequippedwithfittingstoeasily enable a lift to be installed, providing dis-abledaccess fromgroundtofirst floor.

UCATT General Secretary Steve Murphy visitedthe site recently and came away extremelyimpressed. “It demonstrates not only the massivechangeneeded in thewaypeople are employed inconstruction,butalsotheopportunitiesforretrain-ingthosewithtraditional skills,”hesaid.

ActingUCATTYorkshireRegionalSecretaryRobMorrisagrees.“It showsreally forward-thinkingby

AnewandgreenapproachbyWakefieldandDistrictHousingisbeingbackedbyUCATT

Continuedoverleaf

12�UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012

WDHand is a really exciting project forUCATT tobe involved in,” he explains. “Having the largestzero carbon housing development here in York-shire has to be positive, and the organisation hasthe interestsof its tenantsatheart.”

LearningandskillsopportunitiesfortheworkforceandlocalcommunityA show home provides the opportunity for localschoolchildrenandothergroups tovisit thesite tolearn about environmentally-friendly homes andgreenconstructiontechnologies.Anditdoublesupas a drop-in centre for tenants to learn about howtheycanadjust their lifestyles.

“There is a learning process for tenants,” PaulTaylor explains. “Setting washing machines tooperateduringthedaywhenthePVpanelsarepro-ducing electricity that cannot be stored for exam-ple,sotheyconserveenergyandwaterandcuttheirutilitybills.”

Apprentices have also benefitted from uniquehands-on practical training in cutting-edge greentechnologies at ParkDale. For example, all tenantsneed todo touse thegreywater system ispress thetoilet flush, but behind the scenes is £3,000 ofsophisticatedkit.

PlumbingapprenticeandUCATTmemberLukeDickinsonhashadtheopportunity toworkonthePark Dale development from commissioningthrough to first fixing and signingoff.He cannowinstall andmaintainthegreywater system.

He tellsBuildingWorker: “Itwas such an interest-ingdevelopmentandI learnedsomuchmorethanIwouldhavedoneonaconventionalbuildingsite.”

Dickinson and other apprentices are now help-ingtopassontheirskillstoWDH’sadultworkforce.

Steve Murphy was full of praise after his visit.“Theproject isgoodfor theenvironment,goodforthe tenants, and good for construction workers –providing them with the opportunity to developgreenskills for the future.”

Murphy also visited an example of a PV panelretrofit scheme, incorporating other environmen-tal improvements, carried out in-house by theWDH workforce. This helped to reduce fuelpovertyamongelderlytenantslivinginbungalowsinClayField,Castleford.

UnionlearnPolicyOfficerRichardBlakeleyadds:“I’mhugely impressedby the scaleof the initiative

andvery excited about thepossibilities it presents.Thedisplay centre is fantastic, givingpeople livingin the local community the opportunity to getinterestedinthelowcarboneconomy,greenlivingandtheskills thatwillbeneeded inthe future.”

UCATT’s Denis Doody explains: “Our ethos isabout creating and protecting jobs, includingapprenticeships and bringing jobs back in-house.Wecarryoutourownrepairsandmaintenanceandwenowhavea90-strongmodernisationteam.”

He adds: “WDH has gained National House-Building Council accreditation for new build andISO14001 environmental management systemaccreditation. We have, for example, waste man-agementplans,toolboxtalksandarrangementsforrecycling inplaceatallour sites.”

Directly-builtsustainablehousingWDH also boasts the site of the UK’s first directly-built Code 4 (see box above) sustainable houses,providing three-bedroom family accommodationat South Hiendley, near Wakefield. Once com-pleted,thefournewhomeswillachieve44percentlowerCO2emissionsandincorporatePVsolarroofpanels, double-glazedwindowsand150mmthickcavitywall insulation. Inaddition, theyarebuilt to

the Lifetime Home Standard, allowing them to beeasily adapted topeople’s changing circumstancesthroughouttheir lives,andcomplywithecologicalrequirements concerning surface water run-off.The site is the first of several small sites WDH hasidentified where former wasteland on estates canbeusedfor“infill”development.

Again, WDH engaged with the local commu-nityby runningahealthandsafetyposter compe-tition on construction site safety at the local pri-mary school.

“Everything but the ground works and pilingwas done by WDH, and that was only because wedon’t yet have JCBs. Everything else, plumbing,electricalwork,solarpanelinstallation,joineryandcarpentry was kept in-house and our apprenticesbenefitted fromlearning10different tradeson thesite,” saysDoody.

AustinRoadLearningCentreUCATT union learning rep Jeffrey Meadowsbelieves that WDH provides the best trainingfor craft apprentices in the country. In addition totheir education at Leeds College of Building, thegreen homes initiatives give the apprentices theopportunity to learn skills way beyond those oftheircontemporaries.

The organisation also provides learning oppor-tunities for school students, as well as disadvan-taged learners from the settled traveller commu-nity, for example, at its at Austin Road LearningCentre. It is currently providing practical skillstraining for 14 and 15-year-old students taking aBTECLevel2constructionqualificationatKnottin-gleyHighSchoolandSportsCollege. Inadditiontoeight trades including tiling, bricklaying, carpen-try, plumbing, they also learn about health andsafety and the construction industry, and studymathsandEnglish.

“We also encourage older workers at WDH toincrease their skills – workers who are finding thattheirskillsarebecomingredundant,ortheirworkistoo physically demanding and want to learn newskills forexample,” saysMeadows.

Contactsand further information:�SteveCraig (UCATTNationalProjectWorker)07784-254449; [scraig@castor20.fsnet.co.uk].�DenisDoody (WDHEnvironmentalManager)01977-788259;[dpdoody@wdh.co.uk].

DesignandconstructioncodeTheCodeforSustainableHomesisthenationalstandardforthedesignandconstructionof“green”newhomesandaimstoreducecarbonemissionsandcreatehomesthataremoreenvironmentally-friendly.Thecodemeasuresthesustainabilityofanew

homeagainstninecategoriesofsustainabledesign,ratingthe“wholehome”asacompletepackage.ItcoversenergyandCO2,water,materials,surfacewaterrunoff(floodingandfloodprevention),waste,pollution,healthandwell-being,managementandecology.Itusesaonetosixstarratingsystemtoshowthe

overallsustainabilityperformanceofanewhome,withCode6thehighest.�FormoreinformationabouttheCodeforSustainableHomessee[www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/sustainability/codesustainablehomes].

Frompreviouspage

Wakefieldshowcasesgreensocialhousing

VISITORS:DenisDoody(left)showsGeneralSecretarySteveMurphyandMidlandsRegionalSecretaryCherylPidgeonaroundthedevelopment.

COMPETITION:Safetypostersbylocalprimaryschoolchildren.

UCATTLEARNINGREP: JeffreyMeadows.

UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012�13

FirsteverUCATTconferenceofULRsmapsstrategytobuildonsuccesses

UCATTunionlearningrepresentatives(ULRs)fromacrossthecountrygatheredinDerbyinMarch to reflect on the union’s success in

wideninglearningopportunities forworkers intheconstruction and related sectors. They also pre-pared for the challenges and opportunities pre-sented by the new two-year Union Learning Fund(ULF)project,called“BuildingLearning–Reachingout in the workplace and the community”, thatwill runtoMarch2014.

Welcoming the 50 ULRs to the event, UCATTMidlands Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon toldthem:“Promotingthe learningagendabothintheworkplace and the community provides us withthe opportunity to work in partnership withemployers to up-skill workers and sustain busi-nesses inawin-winsituation.”

Sheaddedthatthegreenagendaandsustainableconstructionwouldoffernew learningopportuni-ties, both for young apprentices coming into theindustry and older workers looking to learn newskills to increase their employability inwhatwas aturbulenteconomicclimate.

UCATT National Education & Training Coordi-nator JeffHopewellexplainedtorepsthat,over the

last 12 years, UCATT’s learning strategy had beendrivenby theneed to register, trainandqualify theconstructionworkforce.

Many new union learning centres had beenopened and scores of learning agreements andlearning protocols with employers and trainingproviders had been signed. At the same time theunion had recruited an extensive network ofUCATTULRsbothinthepublicandprivatesectors.

But the coalition Government’s skills strategymeant a change in the funding regime andthe financial support to help construction work-ers gain these qualifications would no longerbe available.

As a result, UCATT’s new ULF project and itsarmyofULRswouldbecomemoreimportantthanever indriving forward theunion learning agendaand ensuring that construction workers, as well aslocal communities, had access to opportunities togainnewskills andqualifications.

UCATTNationalProjectWorkerSteveCraigsaidthatthroughthenewBuildingLearningprojecttheunionwouldbe expanding its support forULRs todevelop “outreach work” beyond the workplace,into local communities and with non-unionisedfirms. Union learning centres would become“community facing”,heemphasised.

UCATTwouldalsoaimtohelpclosethe“digi-tal divide” among construction workers byoffering an Online Basics – the Digital Life

Skills course, along with taster courses on IT forcomplete novices. Craig said: “UCATT punches

Funded by the Welsh Govern-ment, UCATT’s BuildingLearningAcrossWales project

startedinApril2010andwillruntotheendofMarch2013.TheprojectallowsUCATT to reachout tonon-members and to non-unionisedcompanies, as well as helping toconsolidate the union’s otherorganisingactivitiesat local level.

Employers inWales thatUCATTis working with and where unionlearning reps are being appointedinclude Darlow Lloyd Construc-tion,Merthyr ValleyHomes, Mon-mouthshireHousing,NewportCityHomes, RCT Homes, Serene Hous-ing (Charter Housing), Tai Calon,plus Flintshire, Neath Port Talbot,SwanseaandWrexhamcouncils.

Viatheunion’slearningrepsandactivities suchasLearningatWorkDays and Open Learning events,nearly 1,000 workers have beengivenaccesstolearningopportuni-ties.Amongthesuccessesare:

�Over400trainingneedsanalyseshavebeencompleted.� 230 workers have been givenaccess to NVQs via on-site assess-mentandtraining,includingsomeexperienced workers with no for-malqualifications.� 124 workers have completed aSkills for Life (English/maths/IT)assessment, with 21 achieving aqualification.�Over90workershavebeengivenaccesstohealthandsafetytestsandConstruction Skills CertificationScheme card registration, includ-ing somewithemployerswhopre-viously didn’t require workers toundergoCSCScardtests.� One learning centre has beenopened with CTC at Caerphilly,with at least two more to follow(Monmouthshire Housing Associ-ationandMerthyrValleyHomes).

The biggest success so far hasbeen at Monmouthshire HousingAssociation where, working in

partnership with the union, MHAlastyearhasachievedaGoldawardfrom their training activities fromthe Welsh Government, with

union learning rep Nigel Cassongivenanoutstandingachievementaward fromUCATTandaHousingHeroawardfromMHA.

TRAINING

UNIONPRESENCE:TheLearningatWorkDayheldlastyearforMonmouthshireHousingAssociationworkers.

TALKING:MickCain,UCATTlearningrepatA-one+,givesareportbackfromoneoftheworkshopsattheconference.

LearningopportunitiesextendacrossWales

LEARNINGREPSFACEUPTONEWCHALLENGES

Continuedoverleaf

�UCATTpuncheswellaboveits

weightonlearning,eventhoughitsULRsarenotoperatinginatypicalworkingorlearningenvironment.”

UCATTmemberKarenKingfounditchal-lengingwhen she beganwork as a car-penter in the male-oriented construc-

tion industry. But a quest to find out moreaboutherrightsledhertoacquireanewroleasa union learning rep and health and safetyandcomputingadviser.

Her dedication to improvingher life – andthat of others – through learning has beenrecognised with a Learning Works AwardfromtheNational InstituteofAdultContinu-ingEducation thatwas given toher as part ofAdultLearners’Weekfrom12-18May.

Asafemalecarpenter,Karen,42,fromHack-ney in London, often found thatworking inan environment and culture geared mainlytowards menproved challenging – from heruniformnot fitting to accessing toiletswhenoff-site. Indeed, she joinedUCATT in order tofindoutmoreaboutherrights–andbecameahealthandsafetyrepresentative.

CourseCompleting stages 1 and 2 of the TUC’s

health and safety course at Lewisham Col-lege’s TradeUnion Studies Centre, her unionandthecollegeencouragedKarentocompletethe TUCdiscussion leader course. Thismadeherrealiseshehadadesiretoteachothers.

She began giving construction site safetytool box talks to workers, and progressed todelivering health and safety awareness ses-sions. Togiveher added skills todoherunion

andtrainingwork, shethengaineda“Prepar-ing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector”qualification, as well as a TUC diploma inoccupationalhealthandsafety.

Karen says that one of her finest achieve-ments has been becoming aUCATT learningrep,because it allowsher topromote learningand supportpeopleonconstruction sites. Shenowteacheshealthandsafetyandcomputingto a range of people, fromchief executives tositeworkers.

AchievementsKaren says: “These achievements have

transformed my life. I have a fantasticallyinterestingjob,meetingandsupportingmanyindividuals and organisations that requirehealthandsafetytraining.”

Jeff Hopewell, head of UCATT Training,comments: “I’mpleased that Karen’s contri-bution andhardwork have been recognisedwiththisLearningWorksAward.

“As a leaner, learning rep and projectworker, Karen is a great example of someonewho, with the support of UCATT’s trainingactivities, has overcome a series of barriers toachieve her aspirations and go on to encour-age others to followher learning journey andtherebyimprovetheir lives.”

Watch a two-minute video about Karen’straining work: [www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z55jSU0s7OE].

14�UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012

Learningrepsfaceuptonewchallenges CARPENTERKAREN

WINSRECOGNITIONASUNIONLEARNINGREP

KARENKING:Award-winningUCATTambassador forunionlearningonconstructionsites.

well above its weight on learning, even though itsULRs are not operating in a typical working orlearningenvironment.There isamassive turnoverof people on sites and they are operating in a diffi-cult industry. The reality of construction is thatthere are no computers on desks – and there is ahugedigitaldivide.

“But the fact that we are still effectively deliver-ing theunion learning agenda in the constructionsector across successiveULFprojects is a testamentto the quality and efforts of UCATT ULRs at work-place level.”

“The key to our approach was to recognise thatour project activity was not just about learning inisolation. It was also about actively engaging withemployersandlocalcommunitiesandaboutsocialinclusionandequalityofopportunity.”

He added: “It’s also about making the case forproper, quality apprenticeships and skills utilisa-tion and making the link between learning andorganising.”

Craigwentontoexplain:�90percentofemployersarenotspendingmoneyontraining–thisprojectgivesUCATTtheopportu-nity tochangethosestatistics.� Only 2 per cent of UCATT members are womenandaround3percentare fromblackandminorityethnic communities –openingup learningoppor-tunities to allwill help to increasediversity amongtheunion’smembership.�IntheUKalone,theretrofitindustrywillbeworthbetween£200billionand£500billionby2052.

“Thisisagreatopportunitytoup-skillworkers,toestablish ‘green apprentices’ and work to ‘green’the learning agenda while building sustainablecommunities,”Craigdeclared.

“With 80 per cent of tomorrow’s workforcealready in theworkforceof today, theunionneedsto ensure that workers are equipped with theknowledgeandskillstobeabletotakeadvantageoftheopportunities thatwill be offeredby thedevel-opinggreeneconomy.”

Frompreviouspage

TRAIN

ING

UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012�15

NEWUNFAIRDISMISSALRULESAREANEROSIONOFWORKERS’RIGHTS

LEGALBRIEF

Recent attacks on employment rightswillmake it harder for sacked employees toclaim unfair dismissal.

SinceApril 2012employeeswillnowhave towait until they have been employed for twoyears before they can claim unfair dismissal.Under theold rules theyhad towait a year, stilltoo long in many peoples’ view.

Now an employer can dismiss an employeewithout giving any reason at all if they haveless than twoyears’ service.Many fear that thiswill lead to revolving door recruitment poli-cies, with employers dismissing at 23 monthsso that their workforce do not obtain employ-ment rights.

What is the rationalebehind theattack?Per-haps theGovernmentwould like to see a fall inthe number of claims presented to an employ-ment tribunal. However, if employees are pre-vented from pursuing unfair dismissal claims,they will simply try and present their claim inanotherway– for example, theywill claimthatthey have been discriminated against on thegrounds of disability, race, trade union activi-ties or whistle-blowing instead. Rather thanreducing the number of claims, the attackscould simply result in more complex claimsbeing presented.

Or perhaps the Government thinks that bymaking it easier for employers to fire people,they are more likely to hire people in the first

place. Yet statistics show that employers givetheir ability to sack staff little thought whenmaking decisions about recruitment. In addi-tion, at a time when unemployment levels arehigh,apolicythatmakes iteasier tosackpeopledoesn’t seem very sensible. Further, increasedjob insecurity is likely to be bad for the econ-omy as a whole – people will likely put offspending money on things like homeimprovements, or making big purchases, iftheyareworriedthat theiremployercouldsim-ply sack them on a whim. The effect on theeconomy could therefore result in furtherjob losses.

Another attack on employment rights ischarging fees for submittingclaims toanemployment tribunal, which will come

into effect next year. Cases involving unpaidwages and redundancy pay will have an initialfeeof£160andachargeof£230 if a casegoes toa hearing, while those relating to unfair dis-missal, discrimination complaints and equalpay claims will have an issue fee of £250 and ahearing fee of £950

This is likely todetermanypeoplewithgoodclaims from pursuing their employer in a tri-bunal. If someonehas lost their job, has rent ora mortgage to pay and a family to feed, theysimply may not be able to afford to submit aclaim, no matter how badly they have beentreated by their employer.

Finally, the Government has recently con-sulted on whether or not to introducewhat they call “compensated no fault dis-

missals”. Under the proposals, small busi-nesses will be able to dismiss their employeesanytimeduring theemployment relationship,for any reason at all, provided the employerpays them a small amount of compensation –perhaps as little as statutory redundancy payand notice. Imagine the carpenter who hasbeen employed by the same employer for 30years. He becomes a bit slower at his job – per-haps his health is not as good as it was, or he ishaving problems at home. Under the propos-als, his employer could simply take him to oneside anddismisshim,withnoexplanationandminimal compensation.

If introduced, “compensated no fault dis-missals” would deprive thousands of workersto basic employment protections.

The changes that have already been intro-duced and the proposals that are beingconsidered mark a fundamental shift inemployment law and an erosion in rights forconstruction workers. OH Parsons will con-tinue to work with UCATT in their oppositionto these attacks.

See advertisement on back cover; visitwebsite at [www.ohparsons.co.uk].

ByELLIEREEVESofUCATT’ssolicitorsOHParsons

�Imaginethecarpenterwhohas

beenemployedbythesameemployerfor30years.Hebecomesabitslowerathisjob–perhapshishealthisnotasgoodasitwas,orheishavingproblemsathome.Undertheproposals,hisemployercouldsimplytakehimtoonesideanddismisshim,withnoexplanationandminimalcompensation.”

LIVERPOOLLEARNINGCENTRE:Picturedat theopeningofanewon-siteUCATTlearningcentre inGarston, Liverpool, in Julyare (from left)ProjectDirectorNeilSargentof LendLease,ShadowEducationSecretaryStephenTwigg;UCATTActingNorthWestRegionalSecretary JimWoodsandUCATTNorthWestProjectWorker LolHunt.Twigg,who is theLabourMPfor LiverpoolWestDerby,officiallyopened thecentre,which is located intheEnterpriseSouthLiverpoolAcademyand isajoint venturebyUCATTandLendLease.

ApreviousventurebetweenUCATTandLendLeasesawasuccessful learningcentreestablishedat theACCLiverpool –hometo theBTConventionCentreandEchoArenaon theKingsDock–between2006-08,whichalsooffered theworkforce IT training, classes inEnglishandmathsandother subjects.

NORTHTYNESIDELEARNING CENTRE:Opening thenewUCATT/Kier learningcentreatKillingworth,NorthTyneside, earlier this year,UCATTGeneralSecretarySteveMurphy (above)said: “Educationandskills training isan issuethatUCATTispassionateabout.Wecampaign fora fully skilled, fullyqualifiedand fully cardedworkforce. I’mpleased thatKier alsoshares thatvisionand is committed toapprentice training.Thedevelopmentof the learningcentre isanexampleof thepartnershipworkwhichwehaveundertakenwithKier. It’s the third learningcentre thatwehave jointly launchedwithKier.Wealreadyhavecentres inHarlowandStoke.Thedevelopmentof this learningcentre,buildson thegoodworkdoneby theUCATT/KierConvener Forum.”

Itwasclearat theUCATTNationalDelegateCon-ference earlier this year that, notwithstandingthe obligations imposed on employers, particu-

larly by the Control of Vibration at Work Regula-tions 2005, many UCATT members have contin-ued to be routinely exposed to excessive use ofvibrating power tools. This exposure, often com-binedwithexcessiveuseofvibratingpowertoolsinthe past, causes many members to contract handarmvibrationsyndrome(HAVS)and/orcarpaltun-nel syndrome(CTS).

We are constantly taking the fight to employersand their insurers to secure compensation undertheunion’s legalaidschemeformemberssufferingfrom HAVS and/or CTS. Many lines of defence areput forward by employers and insurers. For exam-ple, there is a strict three-year time limit for raisingcourt proceedings. The time-bar rules affect occu-pationaldisease claims suchasHAVSorCTSmuchmore than accident claims. Employers and theirinsurers will exploit these technical rules as muchas theycan.

They will also argue that the use of vibratingpower tools over the years was not excessive andthat there was no breach of legal duty by theemployers.Presentingsufficientevidencetosatisfya court that there was “negligent” (clearly exces-sive) exposure to vibration can sometimes bediffi-cult. Insurerswillalsoseektodivideanyliabilityupbetween them and insurers of other employers ofthe claimant in the past – legally, each employerwill be responsible only for their proportionateshare in causing the injury and losses. Having toinvolveseveralemployersandtheirinsurersincon-nectionwithdifferentpartsofaworker’scareercancausedelaysandothercomplications.

Oneof themostdifficulthurdles toovercomewith HAVS and CTS claims – a difficultyagainexploitedbyemployers and insurers –

is securing convincing medical evidence, firstlyconfirming the diagnosis of HAVS or CTS and sec-ondly establishing a causal link between (1) theexcessive use of vibrating power tools and (2) the

contraction of HAVS or CTS. This can be particu-larly tricky in thecaseofCTS, as there isonlya lim-ited amountofmedical evidence suggesting that aworker using vibrating power tools is at a substan-tially increased risk of contracting CTS. Sadly CTScan be caused by a number of relatively commonnon-work factors such as smoking, alcohol con-sumption or excessive weight, diabetes and suchlike.Asa result,manyorthopaedic surgeonexpertswill simplynot lendtheir support toaCTSclaim.

Despite all of these legal hurdles we have hadconsiderable success insecuringcompensation.

However,acompensationclaimcanatbestonlybe a formofmonetary curewhen the real aim ide-allyshouldbepreventionofinjuryinthefirstplace.It isUCATT’smembers andofficialswhocanmakearealdifferenceonconstructionsites.

Employers should be closely scrutinised aboutefforts theyaremaking to reduce the risksof injuryandbrought to taskwhere failuresare found.� Are they carrying out regular risk assessmentsrelatingtovibratingpower tooluse?� Have they commissioned a detailed survey by aqualified expert analysing vibrating power toolusage by employees and setting safe daily limits ofuseof these tools?�Havetheypreparedmethodstatementsonuseofvibratingpower tools?� Are they putting these method statements intopracticeorallowingsuchsystemsofworktoberou-tinely ignoredbymanagersandsupervisors?�Arethevibratingpowertoolsbeingusedbywork-erscurrentmodelsandproperlymaintained?� Are there proper rest breaks and is there properrotationofduties?� Is there regular medical screening of members,checkingnotonly for symptomsofHAVS,butalsolooking forpossibleCTS?�Arerecommendationsfromoccupationalhealthbeing implemented promptly by employers orinstead ignored?

Increased pressure on employers, together withaggressive pursuit of compensation for injuredmembers, should forcemoreemployers tocomplywiththeir legalobligations.

Dallas McMillan’s freephone number for members inScotland:0303-3031606.

ByGORDONBELLofUCATT’sScottishsolicitorsDallasMcMillan

16�UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012

LEGALBRIEF

SomerecentcasessettledbyUCATTsolicitorsOHParsonsinEnglandandWalesandDallasMcMillaninScotlandWINDOWWASTOOHEAVY:AmemberinManchesterwasworkingasajoinerrenewingabedroomwindowfromtheinside.Thewindowwasextremelyheavyandthejobwasnotscaffolded.Thememberhadtotakealloftheweightofthewindowand,asaresult,sufferedarupturedtendon.Hereceivedjustunder£10,000incompensation.

INJURYLEFTLONG-TERMKNEEPAIN:AGlasgowmembersufferedaseriouskneeinjurywhenhetrippedandfellwhilecarryingalongladderonaconstructionsite.Thegroundwaswet,muddyandunevenandhisemployerhadfailedtolaydownboardstocreateapedestrianwalkway.Herecoveredcompensationof£45,000inrecognitionofhisreducedearningcapacityresultingfromhislong-termkneepain.

FELLTOTHEGROUND:AmemberintheEastMidlandssteppedfromascaffoldwhichcollapsedunderneathhim.Hefelltothegroundand,asaresultofhisinjuries,hasnotbeenabletoworksince.Hereceived£65,000incompensation.

VANWASHITBYACAR:AnInvernessmembersufferedknee,ankleandneckinjurieswhentheworksvaninwhichhewasapassengerwashitbyanothercar.Hissettlementsumwas£11,000.

SLIPPED ONWET FLOOR:AmemberwasworkingatapropertyinStoke,whenheslippedonwetlatexonthefloor.Hereceived£1,350incompensation.

SAFETYRAILGAVEWAY:AGlasgowmemberwasinjuredwhenthesafetyrailofascaffoldtoweronwhichhewasworkinggaveway,causinghimtofalltothegroundandthetowertolandonhim.Hesufferedback,neckandarminjuriesandwasawarded£20,000.

HOLIDAYPAYWON:Threemembersboughtaclaimforholidaypay.Theyhadworkedforacompanyforeightmonthsandwhentheyleft,theyaskedfortheiraccruedholidaypay.Thecompanysaidthatthememberswereself-employedandthereforenotentitledtoholidaypay.Theunion’slawyersarguedtheywereworkersandthereforeentitledtoholidaypay.Followingnegotiationstheyreceived£6,600incompensation.

COLLEAGUEWAS KILLED:AnAyrshirememberwasworkingawithacolleaguewhowasupamobiletowerwhichtippedoverandfell,killingthecolleague.Theaccidentwasthefaultofthelocalauthorityemployerwhohadneitherproperlytrainedthemanwhodiednorensuredthatstabilisingarmsweresuppliedwiththetower.TheemployerwassuccessfullyprosecutedundertheHealthandSafetyatWorkAct.Ourmembersufferedpsychological injury.Scotslawallowscompensationinexceptionalcaseswheretheclaimantiscloselyinvolvedasaparticipantinanaccident, isinfearforhisownphysicalsafetyandsufferspsychological injury.Fullandsubstantialcompensationwassecuredforthememberusingthesecriteria.Thememberhasaskedforthesettlementtermstobewithheld.

�JamesHawkins(left)ofPortsmouthNo.3Branchreceivesachequefor£135,000fromBranchSecretaryGeoffBaileyinsettlementofhisaccidentclaim.HewasinjuredinAugust2008whenhisdumpertruckrolledover,crushinghisankleundertherollbar.UCATTsaidtheemployerwasatfaultbecausethedumperwastoosmallfortheloadsbeingcarriedandfortheterrain.Thecontractortriedatfirsttoblamethememberbysayinghewasdrivingthedumpertoofastandontoaspoilheap.Butasimilaraccidenthadoccurredacoupleofweeksbeforeonanotherofthecompany’ssites.Thedriverwaspreparedtomakeastatementsayingthatproblemswiththistypeofdumperwereknownandhadpreviouslybeenreported,yetnothinghadbeendoneaboutit.

PRESSEMPLOYERSONPOWERTOOLOBLIGATIONS

UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012�17

To be part of what has been called the “GreatestShow on Earth” – the Danny Boyle spectacularextravaganza that was the Olympic opening cere-mony– iswhatcanonlybedescribed tohavebeenadreamcometrue.

I was invited by Sir Robert McAlpine’s manage-ment teamat theOlympic stadiumbecause ofmywork in health and safety on the project. Togetherwe delivered the first Olympic stadium to be builtwithoutasinglelossoflife.TobethererepresentingUCATTis somethingIwill alwaysbeproudof.

Myroleat theopeningceremonywasasaguardof honour for Sir Steve Redgrave to bring theOlympictorchintothestadium.Ireceivedmyinvi-tation a few weeks earlier but only knew two daysbeforewhatmyroleonthenightwouldbeandthetext endedwith thewarning: “This information isconfidential.”

On the Olympic project, I worked on theenabling works (Bam Nuttall), Olympic stadium(SirRobertMcAlpine),OlympicMediaCentre(Car-illion), Olympic Media Centre multi-storey carpark (Carillion) and the Olympic Athletes Village(Bovis Lend Lease). The company that I actuallyworked for was Byrne Brothers (100 per centUCATT membership). This meant that I had thefreedomofmovementaroundthewholepark.

I enjoyed every minute on this great job and toend with the first world record was a bonus – this

being the build of the first ever Olympic games inhistorywithoutasingle lossof life.

This was achieved with the help of Paul Don-nelly (UCATT convener, Aquatics Centre) and myson Jonathan Davies (UCATT convener, OlympicAthletesVillage).

UCATT can be proud of the work its convenersand safety reps did on theOlympics. I shall take tothegrave thememoryof thisgreatnight.MALCOLMDAVIESUCATTconvenerandsafety rep

SupportthePeople’sCharterThe 2012 UCATT National Delegate Conferenceonce more supported the People’s Charter, whichidentifiesarealalternativetoausterity,whethertheausterity favoured by theConDemsor the slightlylessaustereausterity supportedbyLabour.

MyownbranchhasnowaffiliatedtothePeople’sCharter. In linewith theNDCdecision I’mhopingthat all branches, regions and UCATT nationallywilldo likewise.

Also, it’s important thatwe signup tocampaignindividually. This can be done via the website[www.thepeoplescharter.org], text CHARTER to

86006(standardtextrate)orwritetoPOBox53091,LondonE129DA.

The supporters of capitalism constantly tell usthatthereisnoalternativetospendingcutsandjoblosses due to the “deficit”. This wasn’t true at theendof theSecondWorldWarwhenBritainwasonitsknees–andit isn’t truenow.

There is an alternative: an economy that worksfor the people. We need the courage, determina-tionandorganisation toget themessageout – andweneedarealmassmovementofpeopletodothis.

No-onewill do this for us. Themedia is unlikelytosupportthePeople’sCharter,withonlytheMorn-ing Star fighting our corner. And can I thank allthose who bought and supported theMorning Starduring conference week and hope that many ofyou heeded the words that the Morning Star isn’tjust forconference– it’s for life!

SopleasesignuptothePeople’sCharter–affiliateyourbranchand region to the charter, support theMorningStarand let’smake theTUCmarch inLon-don on 20 October one that dwarfs the previousmarchin2011.TERRYBROUGHStHelensBranch

Seventy-sixtradeunionistsweremur-deredaroundtheworld in2011,withthe Americas still the most deadlyregion, says the International TradeUnion Confederation in its latestannual surveyof tradeunionrights.

Last year was a difficult and oftendangerous year for workers through-out world, says the ITUC, with thosewho dared stand up for their unionrights facing dismissal, arrest, impris-onmentandevendeath.

Ofthe76peoplemurderedfortheirtrade union activities, not countingthe workers killed during the ArabSpring,29losttheirlivesinColombia.And in Guatemala yet again tradeunionists paid a heavy price, with 10assassinations committed withimpunity. A further eight tradeunionistsweremurdered inAsia.

The worldwide trends highlightedinthesurveyof143countries includethedisregardoflabourlawsbygovern-ments, the lack of funding for labour

inspection and workers’ protection,the lack of rights and the abuse facedby migrant workers, particularly intheGulfStates,andtheexploitationofthe largely female workforce in theexportprocessingzones.

The repression of trade unionrights has been particularly harsh inNorthAfrica, theMiddleEastandtheGulf States. Trade union organisa-tions played a leading role in the“Arab Spring” uprisings in Tunisia,Egypt and Bahrain. “They paid aheavy price,” says the Brussels-basedITUC. “Hundreds of activists werekilled in the clashes and thousandswerearrested.”

For more details of the survey, see[http://survey.ituc-csi.org].

FinancialcostofaccidentsInjuries and fatalities in the con-struction industry cost residents oftheUSstateofMaryland$712.8mil-

lion (£456 million) between 2008and 2010, a study has found. “Thepriceof inaction”,areportfromthethink-tank Public Citizen, foundMaryland recorded 18,600 con-struction industry accidents in theyears investigated, ofwhich11,000required days away from work orjob transfer. Additionally, 55 con-struction-related fatalities werereported. PublicCitizen said ituseda “conservative methodology” tocalculate direct costs, indirect costsandqualityof lifecosts.

HarassmentinPhilippinesA survey of employment standardsand workers’ right in the Philippineshas uncovered an environment ofviolence and intimidation against

trade unions, includingharassments,dismissals, false criminal charges,arrests, threats and even murder. Areport by the Brussels-based Interna-tional Trade Union Confederationadds that the country’s authoritiesoften fail to bring the assassins andthose who order the murders to jus-tice. Anti-union practices by employ-ers and state authorities range fromimpeding union elections to settingup “yellow” (employer-controlled)unions and refusing to give contractstoworkers. In addition,workers seek-ing to organise face dismissals andblacklisting.

To read the report, go to [www.ituc-csi.org/internationally-recognised-core,10865.html].

MALCOLMDAVIES(inset)withSirSteve

Redgrave(left)runningpasthimat

theopeningceremony.

OLYMPICSWEREAPROJECTTOBEBEPROUDOF

INTERNATIONAL

Colombiatopsdeathlistastradeunionistssufferglobalclampdown

MAYDAY:UCATTmemberswereamong20youngtradeunionistsfromsixUKunionswhojoinedthecrowdsinRevolutionSquareinHavanatocelebrateMayDay2012andshowsolidaritywiththepeopleofCuba.

LETTERS

CHARLIEHOLT

It is with sadness I have to report the death of CharlieHolt inApril at theageof82.Hewas theGreenock2ndBranch Treasurer and then Branch Secretary. Aftercompleting his apprenticeship as a joiner, he wascalled up to do national service in the Far East. On hisreturn he worked with a local building firm.JOHNKELLYGreenock 2ndBranchSecretary

ALSOREMEMBERED…

� Joseph Glendenning of Hartlepool Branch, whodied in January aged93, joined theunion in1946. This

was soonafter theendof theSecondWorldWar,duringwhich he was captured in Dunkirk in 1940 and spentfive years as a prisoner-of-war. He worked on varioussites, later becoming a foreman at Durham Paper MillsinHartlepool beforemoving to theRHMsalt factory inGreatham.

� Jimmy Storie, who died in January at the age of92andwasamemberofUCATTfor33years inGlasgow,was one of the last surviving members of the original65-strong SAS unit of commandos that was created in1941 during the Second World War. He had alreadyserved his apprenticeship as a tiler before entering thearmy. After the war he worked for a time at Glasgow’sBarlinnie Prison before resuming his trade.

OBITUARIES

18�UCATTBuildingWorker�Autumn2012

NOTICE

UCATT: ElectionofExecutiveCouncilmember for theNorthernRegionOur report of voting for the aboveelection which closed at noontoday is as follows:

� Number of eligible voters:3,879� Total number of votes cast: 931� Turnout: 24 per cent� Number of votes found to beinvalid: 4� Total number of valid votes tobe counted: 927� Result (1 to elect)Conwell, S: 419Stansfield, A*: 508* Elected

As scrutineers appointed inaccordance with Section 49 of theTrade Union and Labour Relations(Consolidation) Act 1992 (asamended), we are satisfied as toeach of the matters specified insubsection 52(2) with regard tothe election.The following points should be

noted:a) The person appointed undersection 51A to carry out thestorage and counting of votingpapers was Electoral ReformServices Limited.b) The person appointed undersection 51A to carry out thedistribution of voting papers wasElectoral Reform Services Limited.c) A copy of the register of voters(as at the relevant date) wasexamined in accordance withsection 49(3). The examinationtook place at our own instanceand did not reveal any matter thatshould be brought to theattention of the trade union.We would draw your attention

to sections 52(4), 52(5), and52(6). Section 52(4) requires thata copy of this report be publishedand made available to allmembers of the union within athree month period from today.This does not, however, mean thatevery member has to be notifiedindividually.

Alexander K LonieManager of Trade Union Sector,

Electoral Reform Services,33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW

24 August 2012

MickJonesMickJones,whodied inAugustatthe age of 68, was a well knownartist and designer for the labourmovement. Among his manycommissions was a series ofstained glass windows andmurals thathecreatedatUCATT’shead office in London. Thesewere unveiled in September 2004by Gordon Brown, then theChancellor of the Exchequer.

Jones was later commissionedto paint a portrait of formerUCATT General Secretary GeorgeBrumwell.Thepaintinghangsonthe main stairway at the union’shead office. Other unions forwhomheundertookartisticworkinclude Aslef, RMT, T&G, theDurham Miners’ Association andthe Inter-national TransportWorkers’ Federation.

Mick was the son of legendary

transport union leader Jack Jonesand painted several murals ontrade union and political themesinLondonandLiverpool.

His Fitzrovia CommunityMural on London’s TottenhamCourt Road – which he paintedjointly with Simon Barber in theearly 1980s – was ranked the bestmural in London when Time Outcompiled a list of top ten muralsin the capital in 2006.

MICK JONES(left)withhisportraitofGeorgeBrumwell;above:sectionsofhismuralsandstainedglasswindowsatUCATT’sLondonheadoffice.

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www.ucatt.org.uk

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