‘Skeletons in Closet’ Protest at HS2 Euston Station Site

A DEMONSTRATION has been held today (26 April 2019) by Unite, the construction union, at the HS2, Costain/Skanska Joint Venture (CSJV) at Euston.

The demonstration follows concerns regarding the mistreatment of the HS2 workforce. Demonstrators, some of whom were dressed as skeletons, were asking the question – what other skeletons has CSJV got in its closet?

Unite has unearthed that workers are being:

• Underpaid for overtime,
• Had the wrong holiday entitlement,
• Are forced to operate via umbrella companies
• Were not covered for death and accident benefits.

All of these issues are set out in a framework agreement, between HS2 and trade unions, but Costain/Skanska has not properly implemented them, to the detriment of the workers.

Worker Access Denied

Unite has been unable to identify any further wrongs in the workplace as the CSJV has barred the union from freely speaking to workers in the canteen during breaks. CSJV has claimed that the reason for this is because workers are too traumatised after removing centuries old human remains from the St James Gardens area and need to ‘decompress’ rather than speak to a Unite official about workplace issues.

Rather than allow Unite access to speak to workers in the canteen, CSJV has instead offered to provide a separate room where workers can arrange to meet with a union official.

However, the offer breaches the industrial agreement and the HS2 framework agreement. Unite has therefore rejected the proposal. Unite has been holding regular protests outside the site and has recruited a substantial number of workers to the union.

Unite national officer for construction, Jerry Swain.

Unite national officer Jerry Swain said: “Every time Unite speaks to workers on this troubled site it finds more skeletons bursting out of the closet. Basic employment rights are being routinely flouted and CSJV has been supine in its indifference to the exploitation being faced by workers on its sites.

“Unite was given an undertaking by Skanska/Costain’s project director that the correct overtime premiums would be applied and such payments would be backdated. It now appears that this was not the truth and it is difficult to see how the joint venture can retain any credibility on this project.

“It is disturbing to think what other vital components of the project are also being treated with the same degree of contempt.If workers are genuinely traumatised by their experiences then it is absolutely imperative that they receive help and assistance from Unite, in order to prevent further problems developing.

“The morale of the workforce is being seriously affected by the mistreatment on the site, which is likely to be severely affecting productivity.”

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