Sparks blockade Blackfriars station site

Icon_article Star Published: October 19, 2011 12:11 by strike occupy resist!

Tagged as: cuts directaction electricians occupylondon occupylsx solidarity sparks strike tradeunion unite workers_struggles
Neighbourhoods: blackfriars saint_pauls

Hundreds of sparks and supporters have blockaded the gates to the Blackfriars station construction site in London this morning, in the latest protest against plans by seven employers to impose new contracts which would downgrade safety and skill levels and downgrade pay for electricians by more than 30% They were also supported by people from OccupyLSX, before marching to the occupation site outside St Paul's cathedral. A national day of action has also been called for 9 November. Read more ...

Sparks-medium
Blockade via@samlebeau http://pic.twitter.com/gtTPdEpa

Sparks2-medium
Speaking at OccupyLSX http://yfrog.com/z/oc3xxiej

Balfour Beatty, who run the Blackfriars construction project, are not only the driving force behind the 35% pay cut and withdrawal from the JIB National Agreement. They are also one of the main culprits in the blacklisting of construction workers for taking part in trade union activities. Other employers are Bailey Building Services, Tommy Clarke, Crown House Technologies, Gratte Brothers, SES and Spie Matthew Hall. 

http://truth-reason-liberty.blogspot.com/2011/10/sparks-struggle-rages-on.html

http://union-news.co.uk/2011/10/unite-calls-strike-ballot-in-sparks-dispute/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGWNFXfinF8

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See also

Comment Published: October 19, 2011 12:29 by blog

A blog dedicated to providing the most accurate and up to date information concerning the attack on the Electrical and Mechanical National working agreements
http://www.jibelectrician.blogspot.com

cif article

Comment Published: October 20, 2011 16:34 by sp

Electricians' protests show the real 'big society' in action

By taking action against unfair pay cuts, electricians are proving it is possible for workers to unite and fight back

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/20/electricians-protest-action-employers?

action report

Comment Published: October 28, 2011 11:52 by via JIB

We arrived at Blackfriars Station at 6:30am with a crowd already forming. Had a quick reccy of the area and there were hardly any police there. After the 15+ riot vans full last week, we had expected same again for this week. But no, they had stayed away. Just three vans in the middle of the road outside the station. The music kicked in just before seven and then the crowds started turning up.

A group from outside St. Pauls at the Occupy London protest came over and joined us in solidarity.

Just after seven we started blocking the gates. It started with just a couple of us but the others soon got the idea and there were soon a whole group of us blocking the gates. Then the police moved in and started to attempt to move us out of the way to open the site. No chance. Two lines were formed across the entrances and by 7:30 the site was completely blocked from the front.

People tried to get in, some were even that desperate to get in that they were willing to fight. Strange mentality. Chants of 'I'd rather be a picket than a scab' rung out.

Around 7:45 a group of 50 went round the back of the site and blocked off the delivery gates. Two lorries were penned in the site and at least 7 deliveries were turned away due to the blockade.

The current phase of the job has to be finished for Christmas, otherwise Balfour Beatty will have some rather large non-completion fines to pay.

At 9:00 the group from the delivery gate rejoined the picket out front. Then finally, three hours later, the Blackfriars protest was done for another week.

From there a large group marched up to St. Pauls to join the OccupyLSX protesters and offer solidarity from the Electricians.

http://jibelectrician.blogspot.com