Change of contractors leads to Wembley dispute

A dispute has flared up at the new Wembley stadium after one of the contractors sacked over 200 building workers.

Darlington-based steel contractor Cleveland Bridge was replaced on the project by Dutch firm Hollandia and agency Fast Track Site Services at the end of June. The steel workers on the site were told their existing conditions would be honoured, but Fast Track reneged on the deal.

Under Cleveland Bridge, the workers did a 66-hour week but were guaranteed two weekends off in four. However, Fast Track insisted on weekend working as the norm.

A further point of dispute is over redundancy selection. Previous practice was "last in, first out", but Fast Track refused to honour this and appeared intent on operating a system with no objective basis. When the workers insisted on their rights, they were sacked.

The workers, members of the Amicus and GMB general unions, are seeking their jobs back and will pursue claims on the basis of TUPE and unfair dismissal.

A GMB shop steward told Workplace Report that protests were continuing; the workers and the Football Supporters' Federation have both called on the Football Association, for whom the stadium is being built, to intervene. Costing £757 million, the new stadium is scheduled for completion by early 2006.

We are informed that Cleveland Bridge is now suing the main contractors Multiplex for £20m.