Construction
Our construction message to Labour:
Employment rights to protect
jobs
Unite believes UK construction workers should be
directly employed under the terms of their national collective
agreements. The importance of direct employment through national
collective agreements in the industry is not just a trade union
prerequisite. Unite Amicus Section believes it is essential on
three counts:
- as a disincentive for workers to be encouraged into bogus
self-employment schemes such as composite companies which
- facilitate tax avoidance and
- make insufficient provision for private and state
pensions.
Equal rights for agency
workers
Unite is seriously concerned at the number of construction workers
who are being enticed and coerced into agency employment. That’s
why Unite will continue to support the Temporary & Agency
Workers Protection Bill and press government toa honour its
commitment to support the European Directive for temporary and
agency workers.
Build affordable housing for
working people
Unite believes that without the
security of employment provided by the national agreements many UK
construction workers will struggle to provide their families with a
decent home, particularly in those areas of the UK where demand is
highest for their skills and services.
The union will continue to urge the
Government to take every step necessary to provide affordable and
sustainable housing in every region of the UK.
End the privatisation of
public services
Public services need long-term
commitment not short-term fixes. This requires financial and
political investment. Privatisation (including PFI/PPP) is
fragmenting public services and not delivering value for money.
Reform should be based on sound arguments not tidal waves of
initiatives.
Protect national
agreements
Unite continues to support national
collective agreements, not only because of their role in
maintaining terms and conditions for our members but also to
provide stability for an industry otherwise characterised by poor
industrial relations.
Click here for more information about how
to get involved and attend the demonstration