General Operatives called on to have their say
“Fantastic take up” of Unite campaign from construction workers
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Unite activists have been up early this morning (11 October), talking to members and handing out leaflets outside North Acton tube to raise awareness for the unions campaign to improve pay.
Declan Murphy and Stuart Grice from Unite’s construction sector spoke to lots of workers on their way to work at building sites linked to the HS2 project.
They explained why Unite is campaigning for the abolition of the General Operative rate in the CIJC agreement. Unite does not believe this rate accurately reflects the knowledge, ambition and professionalism of building workers.
Unite regional officer Declan and Unite Executive Council member Stuart were outside the tube station before sunrise to encourage as many workers as possible to have their voices heard by completing the online survey.
Declan explained; “We came out today to ask construction workers to fill out and share this short survey between their workmates and to keep the campaign moving. This way we feel we can win a better deal for workers and lift the pay of General Operatives on sites so that their skills and progress are properly valued.”
“There was a fantastic take up and interest in the leaflets. Many workers also reported that they have recently joined the union after seeing Unite officers in their canteens.”
Stuart explained why he was up before sunrise this morning; “It’s important to get out and support our officers in getting out the message that there’s a union fighting for them in construction.”
He added that; “The survey was well received with the construction workers we engaged with this morning, workers stopped to talk with us about the issues that they have and took membership forms too. Some even mentioned that they had already joined and have started to see posters on the notice board on the nearby HS2 site.
“We all need to make an effort where we can to get our there and engage with workers in the sector.”
The survey for “Civils CIJC General Operatives” can be found on this link.
By Keith Hatch
