Organising migrant workers locally: British Jobs for British Workers?

Ian Fitzgerald School of the Built and Natural Environment

Northumbria University

Enlarged Europe – Low-wage economies of Central and Eastern Europe;

How have UK unions dealt with these? Fitzgerald and Hardy (2010) argue an inclusive approach;

Local level also but what of posted workers? Some success in 2006 in Nottinghamshire. PWs joined Amicus and GMB but transferred back to Hungary;

Unions supportive of these workers.A number of unofficial Strike actions taken in support. Auditprocess developed.

(1) The trade union perspective

Cottam Power station

(2) Workers voice: So what happened!

Worker against worker?

Xenophobia? Fear?

Lindsey Oil refinery

Aging workforce; need for training; bogus self-employment & agencies

Locally – how do unions engage with posted workers?;

New Agreement until 2012 thisincludes audit process andmakes it more difficult for bademployers;

Nationally look East not West?;

But Xenophobia (local jobs for local

European people?);

Aging workforce - lack of training?

Fragmentation of employer support?

(3) Future trade union challenges