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UCATT Launch Vulnerable Workers Project

Construction union UCATT have launched a unique Vulnerable Workers Project to provide assistance to construction workers facing exploitation or forced to work in dangerous circumstances. The two year project will be based in Derby but its work will cover the whole of England. The project has been made possible due to joint funding by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills via the Union Modernisation Fund.

The Project is designed to help all vulnerable construction workers, not just UCATT members. Its initial key priorities are to help groups who are particularly vulnerable including: young workers/apprentices, agency workers, migrant workers and workers coming into contact with asbestos.

The project currently has two members of staff, based at the central Vulnerable Workers Unit. The staff members will be providing direct 1-2-1 advice to vulnerable workers, and providing advice, training and literature to affected groups. Information will be distributed via UCATT officials, other partner organisations and third sector organisations, which already have links with vulnerable workers.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: “Construction is a highly casualised industry, its very nature means that many workers are vulnerable either to poor employment conditions, low pay or injury. The new Vulnerable Workers Project will be a unique resource in providing help and assistance to workers when they most need it.

While UCATT will be leading the project, a number of organisations have already pledged their support and will be providing active assistance to the project through membership of a steering committee. Organisations that have already agreed to become partners in the project include: The Health and Safety Executive, Citizens Advice, Jobcentre Plus, Manchester University Business School, Community Links, HMRC, Wigan & Leigh/Lewisham college and OH Parsons Solicitors.

The Vulnerable Workers Project has been functioning since early January 2010 and it will have its formal launch on Tuesday 23^rd February at the Hallmark Hotel in Derby.

UCATT Sponsors Birmingham Asbestos Rally On 1st July

UCATT Midlands region are sponsoring a rally against the asbestos trade outside the Canadian Consulate in Birmingham.

Neil Vernon, UCATT Executive Council member for the Midlands, will be in attendance at the event. The details are:

1^st July 2009 at 8.30am,

Meet at the

Canadian Consulate

55 Colmore Row

Birmingham

B3 2AS

The 1^st of July is Canada Day. Despite Canada’s usually good reputation throughout the world, the Canadian Government still allows the mining and exporting of asbestos - even though its use is banned in Canada itself.

The event is part of the Breathtaking Journey, a nationwide cycle ride through areas with the highest number of people suffering from mesothelioma, in support of establishing a National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases to lead research efforts in the field of asbestos diseases.

For more information contact the UCATT Midlands region on 01332 203 656.

UCATT Midlands Region To Have Strong Presence On International Workers Memorial Day

East Midlands

Construction union UCATT will be involved in a series of events throughout the region to mark this year’s International Workers Memorial Day on Tuesday 28 April.

The first event will take place at the Skanska hospital site in Mansfield. The entire workforce will come to gather for the event and a minute’s silence will be held. Steve Murphy UCATT’s regional secretary for the Midlands will address the workforce.

Tuesday 28^th April

Kings Mill Hospital

Kings Mill Road East

Sutton in Ashfield

Notts

10.30am

UCATT activists will also take part in events in Leicester to mark Workers Memorial day. Trade unionists will be gathering in Town Hall Square, Leicester from 11am. A memorial meeting will be held at 12.30pm at the Workers Memorial Tree in the Town Square. Shaun Lee a UCATT regional official will address the meeting. A non-denominational church service will then take place in the Methodist Church on Bishop Street, Leicester, beginning at 1pm

Construction is the most dangerous industry in Britain. Last year 72 construction workers were killed. One construction worker was killed in the East Midlands.

Steve Murphy, Regional Secretary of UCATT’s Midlands Region, said: “Everyone in construction knows of colleagues and friends who have been maimed or killed while at work. International Workers Memorial Day is an opportunity to come together and remember these people. But it is also an opportunity to demand far higher levels of safety on construction sites. Every death is preventable.”

UCATT are asking workers who are unable to attend any of the above events to hold a two minute silence at 12pm in memory of their fellow workers. Many of the main construction contractors in the East Midlands have agreed to this request.

UCATT are campaigning to dramatically increase the resources spent on frontline construction inspectors, following a prolonged erosion of inspector numbers. Increased inspector numbers should be supported by a zero tolerance approach to safety breaches, with much greater use of the powers of enforcement and prosecution.

In particular UCATT is calling for greater resources being spent on policing small and medium companies. The majority of construction workers are killed whilst working for companies with fewer than 50 workers.

Steve Murphy is available for interview.

For further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235 or Steve Murphy on 07894 414595.

UCATT represents 125,000 members employed in the construction industry throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

West Midlands

Construction union UCATT will be involved in a series of events throughout the region to mark this year’s International Workers Memorial Day on Tuesday 28 April.

An event will take place at the Skanska hospital site in Walsall. The entire workforce will come together for the event and a minute’s silence will be held. Steve Murphy, UCATT’s regional secretary for the Midlands, will address the workforce.

Tuesday 28^th April

Walsall Hospital

Manor Hospital

Moat Road

Walsall

WS2 9PS

1.30pm

Many trade union activists and safety campaigners will be gathering in the grounds of St Philips Cathedral, Colmore Row in Birmingham City Centre for a memorial event beginning at 12.30pm. The event will be addressed by Neil Vernon, UCATT’s Executive member for the Midlands.

A memorial service will take place at the Solihull Memorial Stone, Brueton Gardens, opposite the Barley Mow Pub in Warwick Road, Solihull beginning at 12.30pm.

UCATT activists will be in attendance at a memorial event taking place in Wolverhampton. This will take place at the Workers Memorial Day Tree, next to the cenotaph in St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton, beginning at 12.30pm.

Construction is the most dangerous industry in Britain. Last year 72 construction workers were killed. Four construction workers were killed in the West Midlands.

Steve Murphy, Regional Secretary of UCATT’s Midlands Region, said: “Everyone in construction knows of colleagues and friends who have been maimed or killed while at work. International Workers Memorial Day is an opportunity to come together and remember these people. But it is also an opportunity to demand far higher levels of safety on construction sites. Every death is preventable.”

UCATT are asking workers who are unable to attend any of the above events to hold a two minute silence at 12pm in memory of their fellow workers. Many of the main construction contractors in the West Midlands have agreed to this request.

UCATT are campaigning to dramatically increase the resources spent on frontline construction inspectors, following a prolonged erosion of inspector numbers. Increased inspector numbers should be supported by a zero tolerance approach to safety breaches, with much greater use of the powers of enforcement and prosecution.

In particular UCATT is calling for greater resources being spent on policing small and medium companies. The majority of construction workers are killed whilst working for companies with fewer than 50 workers.

Steve Murphy is available for interview.

For further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235 or Steve Murphy on 07894 414595. 

UCATT Midlands Support Mesothelioma Day Event In Birmingham

UCATT activists will be supporting a ceremonial release of doves to mark this year’s Mesothelioma Day, Friday 27^th February.

The event will take place at 3.30pm in the grounds of St Philips Cathedral, Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2QB. The event is organised by Action Mesothelioma, Asbestos Support West Midlands and the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund.

Mesothelioma is an incurable form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Last year over 2,000 people died of mesothelioma and at least 50,000 people are expected to develop the disease over the next 30 years.

Construction workers are at particular risk of exposure to asbestos as the substance remains highly prevalent in many buildings. In the future it is expected that construction workers will have the greatest number of fatalities from the disease.

Steve Murphy, UCATT Regional Secretary for the Midlands said: “UCATT members are all too well aware of the dangers posed by asbestos. The event will provide an opportunity to remember many of our former colleagues who have died of this terrible disease.”

UCATT are campaigning to ensure that there is greater awareness of the dangers of asbestos and to ensure that those who develop the disease receive proper compensation in their lifetime.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235