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UCATT Calls For More Enforcement And Tougher Penalties As Construction Deaths Rise In Yorkshire

Research by construction union UCATT has discovered that construction deaths in Yorkshire and Humberside dramatically increased last year.

In 2007/8 there were 7 deaths in Yorkshire. This was a dramatic increase on the previous year when there were only two deaths in the region. The rise in deaths is particularly alarming because nationally construction deaths decreased slightly overall from 79 to 72 deaths during the same period.

Since 2002 the number of enforcement notices and prosecutions issued by the Health and Safety Executive has been declining. The decline in enforcement activity has been caused by budget cuts and a reduction in the number of frontline inspectors.

The industry has also become increasingly casualised, with a large increase in the number of workers supplied through employment agencies and Gangmasters. This has resulted in a large number of inexperienced workers being placed on construction sites.

Derek Johnson, Regional Secretary of UCATT’s Yorkshire Region, said: “Each one of those 7 deaths represents an individual tragedy for a family whose loved one never returned home. Sadly in the construction industry there remain far too many bosses, who do not see health and safety as a priority. That attitude must be stamped out if we are going to substantially reduce fatalities in the future.”

Construction is the most dangerous occupation in Britain, analysis shows that nationally the most likely causes of deaths were: Fall from height (23 deaths), hit by a moving or flying object (16), electrocution (10).

It is estimated that management failure is a contributory factor in at least 70 per cent of construction deaths. However only 30 per cent of companies are prosecuted following the death of a construction worker.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

UCATT Disappointed At Closure Of Caravan Business

Construction union UCATT have reacted with dismay and disappointment to the announcement today (October 27) that the caravan making arm of Cosalt Holiday Homes Ltd in Hull, is set to close with the loss of 286 jobs.

Cosalt Holiday Homes had been seeking a buyer for the company. UCATT had hoped that the purchaser would remain committed to building caravans in Hull and a substantial number of jobs could be saved.

It was announced today that the company would be sold to Leeds-based Endless venture capitalists. Endless have confirmed that they intend to entirely close the caravan making side of the business. It is understood that around 40 jobs will remain in the luxury holiday homes division.

Derek Johnson, regional secretary for UCATT’s Yorkshire region, said: “We are very disappointed at the decision to close the caravan business. This is a kick in the teeth for the local community.”

During discussions between the company and union over the future of the business, UCATT’s negotiators had attempted to discover the names of potential buyers for the company. The management refused to divulge the information.

Mr Johnson, added: “The management has not been open and honest with us about their intentions.”

UCATT will continue to negotiate in order to maximise the terms of the redundancy package which will be given to the affected workers and to save as many jobs as possible.

They are also seeking information on what the new company plans to do with the caravan building machinery and their future intentions for the site.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

UCATT In Landmark Holiday Pay Victory

Construction union UCATT have won a landmark victory at the Employment Appeal Tribunal against housing giant Redrow Homes, over the use of substition clauses in contracts.

Many construction companies, especially housebuilders, have attempted to avoid paying holiday pay, through these and similar tactics.

The case involved two UCATT members from East Yorkshire who were employed as bricklayers by Redrow Homes (Yorkshire Ltd).

The two men signed contracts which described them as “self-employed bricklayers”. The contract contained a clause which in theory allowed the workers to send a substitute in their place.

In autumn 2007, the Hull Employment Tribunal judged the contracts to be a “sham” as it “did not seriously reflect the relationship between the parties” and “it was never expected by either side, seriously or otherwise, that either of the Claimants would seek to provide a substitute or refuse the work offered”.

The tribunal also was highly critical of the company, stating: “Redrow in effect wanted workers but did not want to incur the obligation to pay holiday pay.”

Despite the clear judgement, Redrow appealed the original judgement to the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT). After a nine-month delay the EAT again last week ruled in the union’s favour.

UCATT are now urging the company to accept the latest judgement with good grace and realise that complicated practices to avoid the payment of holiday pay are not going to be tolerated by the courts.

The latest judgement is particularly embarrassing for Redrow. In 2004 the company lost a similar case at the Court of Appeal. Following that defeat the company redrafted their standard sub-contractor terms and conditions, in an attempt to continue avoiding paying holiday pay to workers who appeared to be legitimately self-employed.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: “This judgement is highly significant. It once again shows that construction companies have got to realise that like the rest of the economy their workers are fully entitled to receive holiday pay.”

Mr Ritchie, added: “I hope this case marks the end of companies building ever more detailed stratagems in the bid to avoid paying holiday pay. It has been repeatedly shown that once these contracts are exposed to legal scrutiny, they collapse faster than a house of cards.”

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

The claimants were each seeking £2,293.20 in holiday pay.

UCATT Intervention Provides Fresh Hope To Hull Caravan Workers

Hopes have been raised that some workers at troubled caravan makers Cosalt Holiday Homes, will be able to keep their jobs following an all-day meeting between company bosses and representatives of construction union UCATT.

It was feared that due to a drop in sales the management of Cosalt homes, which builds static caravans and lodges, would shut their factory in Hull. With the affect that 280 workers would lose their jobs.

Following a meeting between management and UCATT, the majority union at Cosalt, on Tuesday (October 7) new plans are being finalised which will allow the business to be sold as a going concern.

It is understood that the company has attracted offers and there are strong hopes that a buyer, who wants to purchase the company as a going concern can be found.

Management will now be seeking volunteers for redundancy. It is expected that around 100 of the existing workforce will continue their employment.

Derek Johnson, regional secretary for UCATT’s Yorkshire Region, said: “ The situation at Cosalt Homes remains very serious. However I am now hopeful that manufacturing at the factory will continue.”

He added: “UCATT will do everything it can to minimise the number of voluntary redundancies at the company and to maximise the number of workers on the site.”

A further meeting between UCATT and the company’s management is scheduled for next Wednesday (October 15).

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235