‘Construction in crisis’

Unite delegate and construction worker Jimmy O’Malley, moved a motion on behalf of the Unite construction sector on better wages for apprentices, noting that “construction is in crisis”.

He noted the scale of the challenges faced by government, which must address both the housing crisis and meet the country’s needs on infrastructure, flood defences and more.

“Good luck with that when there is absolutely no incentive for young people to become construction workers,” he said.

Calling the government “out of touch with the construction industry,” Jimmy said Unite has repeatedly warned that the skilled workforce is ageing, and that investment in the industry is vital.

“If anyone in government can tell me just how they hope to attract young people into taking up apprenticeships, when we see not only the abysmal wage structure the employers offer, but also the lack of attention given to training and to ensuring young people can see the benefits of staying in the industry, I’d certainly like to hear what they have to say,” Jimmy noted.

He went on to condemn the “slave wages” paid to apprentices, asking, “How do they expect young people to stay focused on their apprenticeship if they can’t live?”

Jimmy concluded by calling on the government to “get real” and put legislation in place to improve apprenticeship wages. That way people would come into the industry and actually stay in it.

Darren Goldstone, a construction worker from London joined in the debate on apprenticeship and low pay.

“Apprentices cannot survive on the minimum wage,” he said.

He condemned “unscrupulous employers” who see apprentices as cheap labour, adding that this must not continue.

Darren emphasised the importance of a construction industry which required skilled labour if it is to have a sustainable future. He said a future crisis awaited due to the high dropout rate because of low wages.

He noted that lower income families were unlikely to go into construction because of low apprenticeship pay, as households could not afford to support their sons and daughters as they learn their trade.

He added that the cost of living crisis had hit the poorest the hardest.

Darren explained to the conference how the apprentice minimum wage was significantly below the national living wage, and falls even further below the Living Wage Foundation’s Living Wage rate.

He called on the executive council to make apprenticeship pay a key part of its strategy; to make recommendations to the Low Pay Commission on apprenticeship pay; and to demand that apprentice minimum wages are set to at least the Living Wage Foundation’s Living Wage rate immediately.

The motion was carried.

By Hajera Blagg

Photo by Mark Thomas