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Protest over foreign contractors Protest over foreign contractors
(20 minutes later)
Unemployed Nottinghamshire construction workers and trade unionists have demonstrated outside Parliament over the use of foreign sub-contractors. Unemployed construction workers and trade unionists have demonstrated outside Parliament over the use of foreign sub-contractors.
They claim foreign workers brought in to build the new Staythorpe power station near Newark are getting paid less than the British rate for the job. The group met government officials following strikes over the issue in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
Construction firm Alstom said a subcontractor was paying lower than UK rates but this has now been changed. The group handed over a letter they said contained examples of workers being underpaid at a power station project and an oil refinery.
MP John Mann said wage undercutting is leaving British workers on the dole.MP John Mann said wage undercutting is leaving British workers on the dole.
Last February, 200 power plant staff took part in a wildcat strike after colleagues were threatened with dismissal in a row over foreign employees. Last February, 200 staff at Staythorpe power station near Newark took part in a wildcat strike after colleagues were threatened with dismissal in a row over foreign employees.
Undercutting 'was denied'
They claim foreign workers brought in to build the new power station were getting paid less than the British rate for the job.
Construction firm Alstom said a subcontractor was paying lower than UK rates but this has now been changed.
Mr Mann, Labour MP for Bassetlaw, said: "Companies like Alstom should not be undercutting British wages and leaving British skilled workers on the dole."Mr Mann, Labour MP for Bassetlaw, said: "Companies like Alstom should not be undercutting British wages and leaving British skilled workers on the dole."
Protester Tony Duckitt, a welder, said: "Some of these lads have been in the industry for 25 years and they are not being given an opportunity to work on these projects."Protester Tony Duckitt, a welder, said: "Some of these lads have been in the industry for 25 years and they are not being given an opportunity to work on these projects."
Alstom said two thirds of its contracts are awarded to British companies and contracts are awarded in a "transparent and open way". Alstom said two-thirds of its contracts are awarded to British companies and contracts are awarded in a "transparent and open way".
The gas fired power station is due to be completed later this year. Workers joining the protest earlier also included a delegation from the Lindsey oil refinery in North Lincolnshire, which was hit by a wildcat strike last year.
Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union, which organised the demonstrations, said: "I am certain that undercutting is widespread in this industry, but we are determined to root it out.
"Lord Mandelson and leaders of the engineering construction industry denied that undercutting was happening.
"These protests are to say clearly that we will not be fobbed off any more."