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UCATT News and Events

Keeping You Up To Date

UCATT plays an active part in the political sphere, working with a number of other trade unions, public bodies and political parties to improve the lot of everyone working in our industry. This page tells you about some of our current activity, as well as offering an archive of past stories.
For any press enquiries please contact
Barckley Sumner, UCATT Press and Research Officer
General Office: 020 7622 2442
Mobile: 0780 2329 235

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Wednesday, 17 December 2008

Opt-Out Vote Good News For Construction Workers Safety

Construction union UCATT has welcomed today’s vote in the European Parliament by MEPs in favour of ending Britain’s opt-out from the EU working time directive.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of construction union, UCATT, said: “This is excellent news. In construction the long hours culture literally kills workers. People who are tired are at much greater risk of injury. If companies are serious about safety and about improving productivity then long hours have got to be eradicated.”

Currently British workers have the right to sign away the requirement that they should not on average work in excess of 48 hours per week. Many workers are coerced into signing the opt-out by management.

The vote by MEPs is only the first stage of the campaign to remove the opt-out. No changes will be brought in for at least three years.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235