Lib Dems call for New Tyne Tunnel contractors to keep their word on local jobs (Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats)

Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats <info@newcastle-libdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems call for New Tyne Tunnel contractors to keep their word on local jobs

September 8, 2009 2:40 PM
Originally published by Greg Stone

Newcastle East Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman and Integrated Transport Authority member Greg Stone has called for contractors on the new Tyne crossing to ensure that they deliver on promises on creating local employment opportunities, following reports that local workers are being excluded from job opportunities in favour of foreign sub-contractor employees.

Greg Stone said "I have been advised by constituents that local construction workers are being turned away from work on the site relating to steel fabrication and joinery, due to the fact that Polish and Portuguese companies have won the sub-contracts for this work and are employing their own staff at a lower cost. I understand that construction union UCATT share concerns about the situation.

"I fully recognise that other EU nationals have every right to work in the UK just as

UK workers are entitled to work in the EU, and I have no criticism of them at all.

However I would be concerned if foreign sub-contractors are paying well below local wages and effectively pricing local construction workers out of a job."

"The bidding process for the tunnel contract included commitments to maximise local employment opportunities, and I also understand a Code of Local Employment Practice was proposed to boost local recruitment. Given that unemployment in Newcastle East is running at more than 11%, I would welcome renewed assurances from the lead contractor Bouygues and the tunnel operator company TT2 that they will continue to make every effort to honour this commitment".

ENDS.