“It was a honour to attend the Council meeting on 9th April 2019 to sign the Unite Construction Charter with Sandwell Council, which had been achieved thanks to the hard work of the workplace representatives and Tyrone Fowles from the Organising Department”
Annmarie Kilcline
West Midlands Regional Secretary
SANDWELL MBC SIGNS UNITE CONSTRUCION CHARTER
In a major boost for construction projects in the West Midlands, Sandwell council council officially signed a UNITE charter 9 April 2019 protecting construction workers.
The charter ensures that conditions for workers on construction projects under the councils’ control meet the highest standards.
Construction firms planning to work on council building projects will now need to adhere to the new construction charter.
The charter commits to working with Unite in order to achieve the highest standards in respect of direct employment status, health & safety, standards of work, apprenticeship training and the implementation of appropriate nationally agreed terms and conditions of employment.
Annmarie Kilcline, UNITE Regional Secretary for the West Midlands, said: “Today marks a major boost for construction workers in the West Midlands. Birmingham and Sandwell councils are doing the right thing by signing up to UNITE’s construction charter.
“The right to speak out on issues and be paid a fair rate for the job is vital.
The charter means there will be no blacklisting of workers. It also protects workers from bogus self-employment by ensuring construction workers are directly employed.
The charter also helps local workers to operate in a safe environment including giving them the rights to raise health and safety issues without fear.”
Councillor Steve Trow, leader of Sandwell council, said: “This is an important charter which confirms the council’s support and commitment to staff, residents and businesses in Sandwell on issues that matter to them.”
THE UNITE CONSTRUCTION CHARTER
As a Local Authority we are responsible for the procurement of a multitude of construction projects.
It is therefore appropriate that we as a responsible client enter Into this agreement and commit to working with the appropriate trade unions, in order to achieve the highest standards in respect of; direct employment status, health & Safety, standard of work, apprenticeship training and the implementation of appropriate nationally agreed terms and conditions of employment.
The following shall be a requirement for all contractors and their supply chain engaged by this Authority:
