Construction Workers Underpaid, Say Unions

Construction workers building two biomass plants are being underpaid, according to the Unite and GMB unions.

Officials claim that the pay for sub-contractors working in Rotherham and Sandwich was up to 61% below the agreed rate.

Union representatives have travelled to Copenhagen to protest outside the offices of Pension Danmark, the company financing the projects. Pension Danmark said it "did not support undercutting rates" and was in discussion with the unions.

Work on the Templeborough Biomass Power Plant in Rotherham is being undertaken by Babcock & Wilcox Vølund (BWV), which is said to be sub-contracting the work to Croatian company Duro Dakovic.

The unions say both firms are neglecting the pay levels stipulated in the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry.

BWV said:

"Everyone has a right to fair and reasonable employment and conditions, and that our workers and those of our subcontractors are provided with fair pay and safe working conditions comparable to similar projects in the UK and in accordance with the law."

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