Unions secure HS2 site access

General unions the GMB and Unite have won an important agreement with the major contractor undertaking construction of the new Euston Station.

The agreement with the Mace/Dragados joint venture company secures trade union access to workers on the site, including at inductions as well as welfare facilities and during breaktime. This will allow reps to recruit and ensure that any concerns are heard and taken up with management if necessary.

The unions are working jointly to ensure that similar agreements are signed for all areas of the HS2 rail project to ensure that workers are well treated throughout the whole development.

Charlotte Childs, national officer GMB, said: “This is a great agreement that sets the tone for trade union engagement on the HS2 project.

“Our members will be instrumental in the successful delivery of the Euston Station project and we are pleased that Mace/Dragados have embraced the joint working seen within this agreement to get a better deal for all involved.

“Projects that have trade union membership lead to a safer, valued and effective workforce and we are pleased to be working with Mace/Dragados to deliver that.’’

Previously, unions have had access to major infrastructure projects such as Crossrail, whose contractors then became the target of a trade union campaign against blacklisting. In 2013, Unite got its steward, electrician Frank Morris reinstated after using leverage tactics.