Stonemasons seek recognition

Construction union UCATT is fighting for recognition for the stonemasons who were hired in India to come and build a new Hindu temple in Wembley, north west London.

Their employer, Shrico, had tried to evade national minimum wage legislation by making illegal deductions from the pay of the 11 skilled stonemasons which reduced their wages to as little as 30 pence per hour. After UCATT took up their case the employer was forced to pay back pay totalling œ100,000. The union is now fighting for improved accommodation and union recognition for the men, who have joined UCATT.