Sacked scaffolders re-hired at Langage

THE 49 scaffolders dismissed during protests at Langage Energy Centre on Wednesday have all been given their jobs back.

The workers, all employed by Vange, downed tools on Tuesday and demonstrated outside the power station on Wednesday in a protest over what they claimed were life threatening health and safety issues at the site. They were all sacked by Vange – but, following talks at the £400m power station construction site yesterday, they have today been reinstated on full pay.

The original number of workers involved was understood to be 60, however 11 were not at work at the time of the walk-out.

The French firm behind construction on the site – Alstom – has also promised to investigate the health and safety issues as a result.

A spokesman from Vange said yesterday: "The staff are back on full pay today. We had talks at the site yesterday and they went well.

"The issues were resolved and representatives of the workforce assured us they will not take unlawful action such as protests in the future if there are further issues.

"Alstom has also given assurances that the health and safety issues raised by the workforce will be addressed as quickly as possible."

Wednesday's demonstration was the second major protest over health and safety at the site since August. The scaffolders said the problems weren't 'getting any better'.

Those protesting – who were joined by staff from some of the other companies working on the site – claimed there was 'unqualified labour' working on the project, posing a health and safety risk to some workers.

But the protesters were expected to be back on site today. The project is due for completion in spring next year.

John Gibney, the Unite member appointed to represent the workers, said: "We won a victory for the men yesterday during the meeting.

"Every man has got his job back and the Health and Safety Executive will be on site next Wednesday and will, with Alstom, fully investigate and clamp down on the safety issues we raised."

About 200 workers went on strike in August in protest against the jobs lost by 16 employees of Alstom – and over health and safety issues.

A spokesman from Alstom Power said yesterday: "We are pleased that the situation has been resolved between the workers concerned and their employers.

"At the meeting yesterday, it was agreed that as part of our ongoing commitment to health and safety at work, we will ensure that further training takes place for all subcontractors and their staff to reinforce existing health and safety procedures."