Star date: 19th February 2012

FROM NEW YORK TO SALFORD - PROTESTS OUTSIDE MORRISONS ON TRAFFORD ROAD OVER CONTRACTS

Yesterday, the new Morrisons store on Trafford Road, near Salford Quays, was the scene of protests by construction and electrical workers over the supermarket's maintenance contract with NG Bailey which has signed up to a notorious new agreement that UNITE the union reckons will cut wages by up to 35% and lead to shocking conditions for workers.

Now, the ultra powerful USA based union, Teamsters, is showing support for UK workers – and top contractor Balfour Beatty has already pulled out of the disgraceful new deal.

Full story here… 

Shoppers at the new Morrisons on Trafford Road were met by UNITE the Union flags, placards and leafleting pickets yesterday to draw attention to the food store's maintenance contract with a company called NG Bailey.

NG Bailey was one of seven companies to propose new bargaining arrangements with construction workers, known as the BESNA deal, which unions believe will force worse pay and conditions on the industry, cutting wages by up to 35%.

After pressure by the powerful Teamsters union in the USA, Balfour Beatty, one of the `dirty seven', as they are known, pulled out of the BESNA deal last Friday which leaves NG Bailey one of the remaining `dirty six'.

"We are here as part of a co-ordinated protest outside Morrisons which is happening around the region" said Mike Thompson, senior officer for UNITE North West "It's to put pressure on Morrisons, who use NG Bailey and we object to it."

A delegation of protesters went into the new Salford store to relate their issues to the manager and afterwards Kevin Loughran, from UNITE, told the Salford Star that the manager told them Morrisons doesn't use NG Bailey for its maintenance.

"This is rubbish" Kevin said "NG Bailey is using sub contractors but they are the term contractor doing all the maintenance at Morrisons stores. NG Bailey is a known black lister that is trying to de-skill the electrical and mechanical industry by what they term this BESNA agreement which is against the existing JIB agreement.

"We are challenging this as being disgraceful and trying to put a pay cut on individuals who are working in this trade" he added "The Teamsters are our allies and Balfour Beatty who were a subscriber to this new BESNA have turned round and pulled out of it which is a major, major victory for the rank and file and UNITE the union. It encourages us to come to NG Bailey sites and we will push on until the remaining six companies see sense. We will win this."

The Teamsters letter to Balfour Beatty, signed by General President James P Hoffa certainly did the trick…

"If this dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of my colleagues in the UK we will have no option but to demonstrate our support" he wrote "I am sure that neither of us would welcome this development…"

No-one messes with the Teamsters, and Balfour Beatty instantly pulled out of the nasty new BESNA proposals. Back in Salford, the dispute is set to escalate with NG Bailey and Morrisons at the centre of it…