Honour agreement call

Unite, the UK’s largest union for construction workers, has submitted a formal challenge to employers due to deep concerns about ‘worker competency’ at the Ferrybridge power station in Yorkshire.

The dispute concerns the competency of a number of workers employed by the Polish sub-contractor Mosotstal Pulaway.

Mosotstal Pulaway has agreed to abide by the NAECI agreement’s terms and conditions, the relevant industrial agreement for the mechanical engineering works being undertaken.

Unite’s challenge is to ensure the agreement is honoured in full, including on the necessary standards, to ensure workplace safety and that the workforces’ skills are fit for purpose, namely a trade specific NVQ at Level 3.

Unite has now submitted a formal complaint to the NAECI National Joint Council that HZI, the principal contractor, has breached the rules of the agreement.

“Unite will not allow our industrial agreements to be undermined,” said Unite regional organiser Chris Weldon. “It is vital that this issue is swiftly resolved not just for this site, but for future projects undertaken under the NAECI agreement.

“This dispute is about ensuring that workers employed on NAECI projects across the UK have the appropriate qualifications and are fully competent and safe to undertake the work.”