Construction News

Fri March 29 2024

Related Information

Colston quits BESNA

28 Sep 11 One of the eight contractors behind the proposed reform of industrial relations in the building services sector has backed off and decided to stick with the current regime.

MJN Colston has confirmed to the Unite union that it no longer wishes to withdraw from the long established collective agreements and that it will now remain within the JIB.

The contractor has written to its workforce to say that it will no longer be a party to the move to impose the new Building Engineering Services National Agreement (BESNA).

Unite national officer for construction, Bernard McAulay, said: “We are pleased that MJN Colston has seen sense and returned to the JIB.

“The last few weeks have seen large protests across the country. Our members are clearly angry at having their agreements torn up and being threatened with dismissal if they do not sign up to new inferior terms and conditions.

“The JIB was set up 40 years ago to end industrial unrest and introduce stability into the sector. Now because of the bullying way these companies are behaving we are seeing instability creeping back.

“We hope that Balfour Beatty, Crown House and the rest come back to the negotiating table so that we can move forward in a sensible and constructive way.”

Meanwhile, there were further anti-BESNA demonstrations today (Wednesday, 28 September) by construction workers outside John Moores University in Liverpool between 6.30am and 8am.

Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk

MPU
MPU

Click here to view latest construction news »