By a Construction worker and Unite member
A workers’ protest at the giant construction site at Hinckley Point, Somerset, reveals were the ‘two- tier policing’ in the UK really lies.
Building workers at the site were unhappy about changing shifts underneath cranes moving heavy concrete blocks and materials. After their concerns were ignored they ‘cabined up’, which is to say they refused to leave the canteen, until there was some movement on the issue.
In retaliation, their employer, MEH, cancelled their access passes to the site for a week, forcing them off site without pay. ‘Cabining up’ is an established practice in the industry, which actions the legal right of any worker to refuse work if they genuinely believe their safety is in serious danger by doing that work (Section 44 Employment Rights Act).
Where the two-tier policing comes in is that the next day, a fleet of police cars turned up at the gate in case the workers kicked off when refused entry to the job.
But a couple of years ago, Avon and Somerset police were forced to apologise for their poor service on 101 calls, with 20% not being answered in the target time. A lot of people were just giving up. The Chief Constable blamed understaffing and rising demand.
But “under staffing” has seemingly not affected the force’s response to these workers’ action. And the bosses at Hinckley Point must have a special hotline to Avon and Somerset police. They are definitely not using 101.
