SPARKS FLY

Rank and file electricians took action in protest against an industry wide pay-cut on Wednesday. The action took place on a building site near Farringdon station in East London which is part of the Thameslink upgrade project.

Hundreds of electricians, accompanied by a sound system, surged onto the site, scuffling with security guards on the way.

The protest – organised at a grass-roots level without union backing comes as several major construction companies attempt to backtrack on agreed wages for skilled electricians. The “Big 8” of construction employers, including the likes of Balfour Beatty and  want to withdraw from the JIB (Joint Industry Board) agreement on pay, grading and seniority. They want to bring in new grades of semi­ skilled electricians earning £10.50 and £14 an hour instead of the current hourly JIB rate of £16.25.

According to worthy lefty publication the Commune (http://thecommune.co.uk) the grass-roots organising is being run by an elected strike committee calling themselves “The Sparks”. The Sparks’ strategy to this point has been to remain within Unite, and yet organise their own parallel rank-and-file protests and actions, through an elected strike committee.

Further actions are promised - The next protest in London will be next Wednesday, 6.30 am, at Kings Cross station for the Crossrail project.