Following a five year campaign Unite, the UK’s leading construction union, has secured an access agreement to ensure that workers on the HS2 tunnels project based at Euston can access advice and support of a union official, while on site.

An access agreement was signed this week between Unite and the joint venture company Skanska, Costain, Strabag (SCS), that is undertaking the work to build the tunnels which will carry HS2 trains in and out of central London

Under the access agreement union officer will be able to meet with workers in the sites rest areas during break times, to discuss employment matters, the union will also be able to attend induction meetings to talk to workers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The persistence and dedication of Unite construction members should be congratulated; it is their hard work which has ensued this access agreement has been signed. Construction workers based on the SCS project will now be able to freely consult a Unite official about all their employment and safety concerns.

 “The signing of this agreement will ensure that Unite is now fully able to defend and enhance workers’ jobs, pay and conditions at HS2.”

The access agreement is the culmination of a five year campaign to secure standard access to the HS2 projects in central London. It now means that all major parts of the HS2 development are covered by union access agreements. “

Unite regional co-ordinating officer Vince Passfield said: “This has been a long and challenging campaign to secure standard union access to this site. Now that it has been achieved Unite will ensure that workers will have their employment concerns swiftly and properly dealt with.”

 The GMB union were also signatories to the access agreement.

ENDS

Notes to editors

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications advisor Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235.

Email: barckley.sumner@unitetheunion.org

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Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.