Bridge ballot helps RMT across troubled waters

The RMT rail union has won recognition at Palmers Ltd, a contractor working on the Forth Bridge in the east of Scotland, despite what the union saw as opposition from construction giant Balfour Beatty – the senior partner in the contractors’ alliance on the project.

Painters employed by Palmers on the bridge, which is owned by Network Rail Infrastructure, approached the RMT two years ago with the aim of joining the union and gaining recognition. This led to a campaign in which the union – which already represented members employed by other contractors on the bridge – regularly leafleted outside the workplace, held mass meetings away from the workplace and sent out newsletters to members.

Within months, the RMT had built up membership to around half of the workforce, and it then arranged a meeting with Palmers in the hope of agreeing voluntary recognition. The company initially seemed interested, but Balfour Beatty opposed the proposal – forcing the union to seek statutory recognition from the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC).

A ballot of the workforce ordered by the CAC showed a clear majority in favour of recognition, and the union is now negotiating a procedural agreement with Palmers.

Donald Graham of the RMT’s organising unit said: “This recognition deal sends out the message that we can also win recognition with other companies if workers want RMT to represent them.”