Construction union UCATT has voted overwhelmingly to merge with Britain’s largest union, Unite.
The move, announced today, follows 85.5% of UCATT members voting to combine the membership to form one large union for the construction industry, giving workers a new powerful voice.
It is hoped the combined resources and expertise will end the problems of bogus self-employment and firms indulging in a race to the bottom by undercutting pay, terms and conditions.
The move is also timely with a number of major infrastructure projects in the pipeline – the unions said it would give construction workers a powerful voice in pressing for a joined up industrial strategy and securing good-quality jobs.
Over the coming weeks Unite and UCATT will be finalising details ahead of UCATT’s formal transfer to Unite on 1 January 2017.
Len McCluskey, Unite general secretary, said: “This is a historic moment for the construction industry and the men and women who work in it. From January 2017, construction workers will for the first time have one united powerful union on their side at work.
He added: “Bad bosses and construction firms employing sharp practices should beware. Our new combined industrial voice will be used to defend the rights of construction workers across the UK and to campaign for secure decent jobs which pay the rate for the job.”
UCATT acting general secretary Brian Rye said: “By joining with Unite, the industrial muscle of all construction workers will double overnight, which is good news for all members.
“Employers are going to have to get used to dealing with one voice and one union. They need to understand that shoddy and underhand practices including dismissing workers without warning, exploiting workers by paying them via agencies or umbrella companies and ignoring key safety laws will not be tolerated and will be exposed.”
