Sixty workers walk out in protest at Langage power station site
PROTESTERS lined the gates to the £400 million Langage Energy Centre today after about 60 scaffolders had been given the sack.
The scaffolders, all employed by Vange, downed tools on Tuesday and demonstrated outside the power station yesterday in protest over what they CLAIM are life-threatening health and safety issues at the site.
-
Langage power station
It was the second major protest over health and safety at the site since August. The scaffolders who had lost their jobs on Tuesday said that the problems ‘aren’t getting any better’.
John Gibney, Unite member who has been appointed to represent the workers, said: “We walked out on Tuesday over safety issues.
“As a result we were all dismissed – about 60 of us – because we hadn’t followed procedures by walking out.
“So we decided to put on a peaceful protest yesterday.”
Mr Gibney claimed that there is ‘unqualified labour’ working on the project, which the French firm behind construction on the site – Alstom – has said is still on schedule for completion in spring next year.
He claimed that some workers were changing the layout of scaffolding, therefore posing a health and safety risk.
Mr Gibney said: “We are worried we could end up dead or injured or crippled. It’s that bad.
“There have been a few injuries to our workers over the past few months already – and Alstom and Vange need to put a stop to it.
“If we aren’t given our jobs back then it will be really hard to find work at Christmas, but we feel that strongly about the health and safety issues and the language barriers with foreign workers.
“All the workers feel very strongly about it. We have been unjustly treated.”
Mr Gibney said that workers from NSS Scaffolding and SGB Scaffolding also downed tools yesterday afternoon and joined in the protest – and he said other companies may follow today for some early protests.
He said five Vange workers had been dismissed over the past couple of months. He also said that a delegate from the Unite trade union was expected at the site at 10am today (thu) to ‘try to come to an arrangement’.
He said: “Hopefully we will get our jobs back.”
Yesterday’s protest over health and safety wasn’t the first at the site. 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.
And last month Gary Streeter, South West Devon MP, raised concerns that under-qualified foreign workers could be endangering health and safety.
But yesterday the workers said that issues hadn’t been resolved. One scaffolder claimed that a colleague had been trapped by a falling piece of steel just over a week ago, putting him in hospital.
The scaffolder said: “The worker was badly injured. We just want a safe environment.”
Another worker said: “We want our jobs back on full pay and to work in a safe place. It’s like a deathtrap in there at the moment.”
A spokesman for Alstom said yesterday: “Health and safety concerns are our highest priority.
“The company is investigating these claims at the highest level.”
And Kelvin Short, the managing director of Vange, said he wouldn’t comment on the matter yesterday.
11 Comments
View all
by Molly, Sutton
Thursday, October 30 2008, 8:21PM
“Phil, I often see it from the bus from the A38. As you will know its horrendous.”
by Uncle Bill, Jamaica
Thursday, October 30 2008, 11:00AM
“I must say that I am somewhat confused by this article.
First of all, what is the Herald trying to say when it capitalises the word CLAIM in the second paragraph.
Secondly, I understand that the Health & Safety at Work Act gives all workers the right to refuse to work in potentially dangerous situations.
Thirdly, the company itself says that they are investigating these claims at the highest level. So why have they sacked these workers before ascertaining the facts?
Go for it lads and lasses, fight this profit oriented company. Get your union to file for reinstatement and compensation for placing your lives at risk and unfair dismissal.”
by Keith, Eggbuckland
Thursday, October 30 2008, 10:15AM
“Jill, French Company nothing will be done - Labour Government....remember”
by jill, plymouth
Thursday, October 30 2008, 10:11AM
“What a crazy world we live in.
Children arn't allowed to play Conkers at school because of Health and Safety but hard working men lose their jobs because of their concern over Health and Safety in the work place.
This firm needs to be taken to task and all the workers should walk out in support of them.
Good luck to you all in getting this matter rectified as soon as possible.”
by Phil_Anthrope, Here & Now
Thursday, October 30 2008, 12:47AM
“Molly doesn't need close to the site to see it, she just looks in her crystal ball where she also gets most of her comments, as she seems to be an expert on absolutely everything!!!”
by Jo, Plymouth
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 9:37PM
“If the foreign workers are not suitably qualified then they shouldn't be doing the job at all.
This is not prejudice but fact. Are we now supposed to not mention the fact that they are foreign as to not offend? Molly get real, whether they are foreign or not is not the issue, the fact that they are not suitably qualified is and should be addressed. I'm sure they will get much support as the concerns here is health and safety.”
by Angela, Plymouth
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 8:37PM
“Molly you must have bloody good eyesight if you can see this monstrosity from your little house on the Barbican, you want to try living just round the corner from it
Good luck to all the workers on strike, you stick to your guns and principles. YOUR safety is first and foremost, if foreign or unskilled workers do not care about their safety thats their business BUT YOU look after number ONE”
by Molly, Sutton
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 8:31PM
“Report health and safety concern s which have been ignored or flouted to the HSE and chivvy them and the government until there is a reaction. In the meantime returning to the Dark Ages of demarcation disputes and exhibiting the worst kind of inferred prejudices against foreign workers leaves a very bad taste and kills off all public support and sympathy.”
by Jo, Plymouth
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 8:20PM
“Ben,
Good luck to you and the others.
When are the Health and Safety Executives going to attend the site and asess the situation, I thought they would have been there today but the Herald did not mention this in their report. Perhaps in this politically correct world we live in they don't like to mention the workers that were not trained in this instance were foreign!
Imagine the aproar if something happened and somebody was injured then at least you have brought the situation to the view of the public.
Good luck tommorow.”
by Molly, Sutton
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 6:34PM
“Time to plant the Leylandii or we shall have to suffer the eyesore for several years while they get established.”