Unite has secured assurances that local labour will be used in the construction of Keadby 2, a new north Lincolnshire power station
Despite promises that the workforce used to complete the Keadby 2 project, near, Scunthorpe, would be local tradesmen, there were concerns that a Spanish workforce would be used instead. Unite officials met with construction contractors Siemens and Babcock Montajes to discuss these concerns.
The news caused demonstrations by local workers at the site due to genuine concerns that local workers would not be given the opportunity to work on the project,
Following the meeting with Siemens and Babcock Montajes, Unite said it had received assurances that promises to employ local construction workers at the site will be kept.
Siemens is constructing the £350m Keadby 2 power station on behalf of Scottish energy firm SSE, with Spanish company Babcock Montajes, brought on-board to construct the facility’s boilers.
Unite regional officer John McIntyre, said: “Unite has received assurances that the promises to use local labour on the Keadby 2 project will be kept. The local area has its own supply of highly skilled and hard-working tradespeople, so there no reason why they shouldn’t be used.
“We have been informed that local riggers will be taken on as early as December and that other tradespeople from the area, such as fitters and platers, will begin to be employed after the New Year.
“At present, there is no reason to believe that the pledges we have received from Siemens and Babcock Montajes will not be honoured.
“Should the situation change, however, Unite will do everything in its power to ensure these commitments are upheld.”
Skilled British workers
CITB’s Construction Skills Network report shows that construction requires 168,500 skilled workers to enter the industry over the next five years.
Britain urgently needs more construction workers and more opportunities for people from every background and every region.
