Saturday, 03 March 2007

UCATT Wins Extra Pay For Workers

Construction union UCATT has won pay rises of up to £3 an hour for over 40 workers at Swift Plant Hire based at Ibstock in Leicestershire. With 90 per cent of the workers joining UCATT the union has won recognition at the company.

The company had claimed that their staff were paid in line with the National Working Rule Agreement. On closer inspection UCATT officials found this to be incorrect. even though wages slips referred to the NWPA.

When UCATT officials challenged managers about the “unlawful deduction of wages”, the company agreed to pay the workers 3 months back pay and also agreed to sign a recognition deal with UCATT

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of UCATT, said: “The hard work of UCATT officials means that workers at Swiss Plant Hire are now receiving the wages they are entitled to. This will send a message to construction bosses throughout the country that we will not stand idly by and allow hardworking building workers to be underpaid and exploited.”

The workers involved are employed as labourers and also in the operation and management of hire tools.

Under the recognition agreement all workers will receive a new contract of employment and UCATT have signed a recognition agreement, which includes the right to shop stewards and safety representatives.