A group of 20 electricians who faced severe financial hardship after their pay was withheld have received their wages following the intervention of Unite
The electricians were engaged by sub-contractor JW Morris on a site run by contractor Acom in Hoxton, on behalf of the client, IG1 Global Real Estate Development. When the workers returned from their Christmas break they discovered that JW Morris had been removed from the site and their wages had not been paid.
The workers were owed in excess of £25,000 (on average over £1,000 per worker) for the work they undertook before to Christmas.
Following contact from affected union members, the union immediately organised a demonstration outside the site at 08:00 on 10 January.
Regional organiser Vince McCoy then met with Acom representatives and warned them of further action unless union members received all the money they were owed.
After this intervention by Unite, arrangements were made for all outstanding wages to be paid by today (11 January).
Unite regional officer Vince McCoy said: “Our members faced severe financial hardship through having their wages unpaid.
“It was only through Unite’s intervention that the company was forced to do the right thing and ensure that the workers received all the money they were owed.
“Unite was already in the process of escalating the dispute and were prepared to use all legal means to ensure our members were paid.
“Major contractors need to ensure that their subbies are fully able to pay their workers. They should be under no illusion that if workers are unpaid then, Unite will not hesitate to come after them.”
“Today proved that collective action pays dividends for Unite members.”
