Unite stands with whistleblower Danny

Unite was out in force on Friday morning (29th November), organising colourful and noisy protest in support of a member who has been removed from his workplace simply for highlighting the dangers of onsite asbestos.

Danny Thomas is an electrician who had been working for Llorets at the large Victoria House refurbishment site on Southampton Row, just minutes from the Unite Head Office in central London, before the main contractor, Wates, demanded his removal.

In his job installing Building Management Systems on the site Danny became aware of poor safety practices around asbestos that was being exposed during the refurbishment. Worried about the serious potential health impacts on fellow workers he raised his concerns with managers. 

But he was ignored, despite multiple attempts to raise the issue and highlight the hazard.

However as a Unite activist, and former Grenadier Guard, Danny wasn’t going to be put off when trying to protect his colleagues health, so he informed the local council Camden and the HSE about the poor asbestos practices on the site.

This resulted, on Friday 22nd November, in him being escorted from the site on Wates orders for alleged trade union activities and conspiring to have the site’s Health and Safety Manager dismissed.

Danny immediately informed the union about what had happened and Unite Regional Officer Vince McCoy, lost no time in organising a demonstration outside the site.

This not only was to demand Danny be reinstated and that the legitimate safety concerns of the Unite activist be acted upon, but also to highlight the asbestos risk on site and encourage workers to sign up to Unite’s Risk Register.

On the Friday morning Danny tried to return to work, and after being denied access was joined by a large group of Unite activists and officers from across the construction sector and beyond who made their presence felt with flags and banners, with even the Grinch making an appearance. 

Taking a position on the street by the site entrance they spoke to workers entering the building, as well as members of the public and were cheered on by passing buses and van drivers. 

Speaking to workers they discussed Danny’s case and encouraged them to sign up the Asbestos Risk Register as well as distributing the latest edition of the Building Worker.

Vince said: “Danny is a Unite activist and member of the London Construction RISC, and for him to be removed from work for raising health & safety issues regarding hidden asbestos on this project is outrageous.

“Sadly managers seem more concerned with hiding their dangerous working practices from the council and HSE than keeping their workforce safe from the potential long term health effects of asbestos.”

The demonstration was joined by Unite National Officer for Construction, Jason Poulter. Jason said, “Unite will not stand by and accept this treatment of one of our members, who is being targeted for raising concerns about the way that asbestos is being managed on the site.

“Asbestos is one of the most dangerous health issues in construction and employers need to take it seriously.”

Vince added that following today’s protest Unite will continue to support Danny.

Speaking after the protest Danny said he fears that being removed from the site by Wates might lead to him being blacklisted, but he just couldn’t stand by while his fellow workers were being put at risk.

Though concerned Danny said that the support he had received from the union had been “overwhelming” and made him feel part of a family.

Danny said, “I’m in a situation that many workers face, but it’s good to have the backing of Unite to help me. The level of support and back up from Unite Construction has been overwhelming.”

Danny also revealed that since being kicked off the site he has received lots of messages of support from colleagues still working there, with one worker saying that “Managers are bricking themselves following the protest outside the site this morning.”

If you have concerns about asbestos in your workplace please contact your Unite H&S rep immediately and complete the Unite Asbestos Risk Register.

Below are some photos from the protest.

By Keith Hatch

Photos by Mark Thomas