Under the Liverpool construction charter, any firm that wants to build in Liverpool will have to agree to promote trade union membership and work closely with them.
The charter has been drawn up by the unions Unite, Ucatt and the GMB, is designed to stamp out ‘notorious’ industry practices, such as bogus self-employment schemes, on any construction site within the city limits.
The charter makes six demands of all construction firms working in the city:
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The employment of all construction operatives under the terms and conditions set out in the relevant national agreements: JIB, JIBPMES, HVAC, CIJC, NAECI, and TICA
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The promotion of the benefits of belonging to a recognised trade union
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The recognition of onsite shop stewards who have an important role to play in achieving and promoting good industrial relations
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Trade unions retaining responsibility to appoint any health & safety representative to reflect their members’ priorities
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The active promotion of the election of workplace health & safety reps and support for their role in helping to ensure a safe site
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The provision of equality of opportunity for all, including the acknowledgement that the blacklisting of workers, for whatever reason, has no place in our society.
The three unions will be signing the document with the mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, on Thursday 10th September.
The charter states: “It goes without saying that the health and safety of all workers is paramount. The construction industry is a dangerous industry and consequently we expect health & safety standards to be rigorously implemented and adhered to.
“We also expect welfare facilities for construction workers to be appropriate to the 21st century, such as toilets, mess, and drying facilities.”
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