Union members hold jobs rally (From The Northern Echo)

Union members hold jobs rally

4:50pm Saturday 4th April 2009

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HUNDREDS of union members have taken to the streets in support of a campaign to secure British jobs for British workers.

GMB and Unite members held a rally in the Centre Square, in Middlesbrough, near the Mima art gallery, this morning.

The rally was in support of the National Construction and Engineering Industry Campaign.

Earlier this year a series of wildcat strikes took place across the country over the issue of foreign labour.

The dispute began when staff at a Total oil refinery, in Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, walked out in protest at the recruitment of Italian and Portuguese workers.

Unions claimed Britons were not given the opportunity to apply for the jobs.

The dispute spread with workers employed by firms in other parts of the country, including Teesside, also calling unofficial strikes.

GMB regional organiser Jimmy Skivington, who organised the rally, said: "We just want to make a point and show the strength of feeling in the area.

"This is not about foreign workers, it is about foreign companies who are securing contracts in the UK and not allowing British workers to apply for the jobs.

"There are a lot of foreign workers who work on in Teesside and around the country and who do a good job."

Mr Skivington said many foreign workers employed by foreign firms were receiving lower rates of pay and were on worse terms and conditions than their UK counterparts.

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