Jerry Hicks

Veteran of the Labour movement Tony Benn addressed over 150 electricians in Stratford, East London yesterday, 31 August 2011.

Benn spoke to the electricians who were demonstrating against the move by a breakaway group of electrical contractors who want to set up an alternative negotiating body which may undermine the preferred terms of the Joint Industry Board, the current national negotiations body.

Many of the breakaway electrical contractors are the same ones who are prominent in blacklisting workers, Balfour Beatty, Crown House Technologies, N G Bailey and SPIE (Matthew Hall). However this is not deterring the demonstrators.

Electricians angry at the move to de-skill their trade & undermine their bargaining position have hit back. The sparks in London have decided on a series of demonstrations outside major high profile sites in the hope of building momentum and support from other workers.

Speaking to the workers, Tony Benn told them that the essence of trade unionism was joining together to become stronger using an analogy of a child stuck in a well who asks his rescuers to join their ropes together to get him from the bottom of the well.

Other speakers included Michael Dooley who is a candidate in the current UCATT General Secretary election, who promised to be on every single demonstration, Steve Headley from the RMT and other supporters.

Alan Keys, a spokesperson for the electricians said "this is a fight we will need to win if we want to maintain our bargaining position. We all hope that our union UNITE will move quickly in support of the electricians, but in any event we will proceed with our plans and future activities"

The Shard in London Bridge is the electricians next target for a demonstration at the Shard, London Bridge [the tallest tower being built in Europe] next Wednesday, 7th September 2011from 6.30 a.m.

For more information contact Alan Keys on siteworker@virginmedia.com or telephone Jerry Hicks on 07817827912

The following links may be of help. http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2008-09/1357

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2011/08/31/westfield-and-t-clarke-latest-me-pay-row-targets/

http://www.gamesmonitor.org.uk/node/1253

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/101581