Unite stage peaceful protest outside Exeter John Lewis
Members of the national trade union Unite staged a peaceful protest outside John Lewis in Exeter yesterday lunchtime as part of a national effort to put pressure on stockists of Siemens products. Unite argues that although Siemens has had a positive 'human rights' record' in the past, the company is currently "falling short of their own 'Code of Conduct' by continuing to work with two construction companies that are proven 'blacklisters' who victimised trade unionists and are now at the centre of allegations of continued persecution.
"By failing to act against key UK suppliers proven to have victimised trade unionists in the construction industry, Siemens is putting their reputation at risk."
It is alleged that Unite Shop Steward Frank Morris was victimised and sacked by the joint construction venture BFK (BAM, Ferrovial and Kier). Chris Stiles told The Exeter Daily that Frank was employed as an electrician at a BFK Crossrail site when he was sacked after raining concerns over bonus payments and serious safety issues. Shortly after the removal of Frank and his co-workers, a major safety incident was recorded that put a workers' life at risk."
A witness statement by his former boss states that Frank and other workers were ‘laid off’ by BFK due to trade union activity at the site. Mr Stiles continues "Royal BAM and Kier are proven 'Blacklisters' having paid £68,000 between them for name checks to the sinister Consulting Association, a business that until it was raided and shut down, operated a ‘Blacklist’, so that construction companies could deny employment to trade unionists.
"We were at John Lewis in Exeter today to highlight the situation to John Lewis, a major stockist of Siemens products, to take a detailed look at the issue and ensure that Siemens are not falling short of John Lewis's own high standards of ethical trading."
Unite claims that ‘blacklisting’ continues to be rife and that this unlawful practice has been evident on the publically funded Crossrail project.
Unite is calling for Siemens to uphold their own ‘code of conduct’ and to launch a joint investigation with Unite into the alleged victimisation of trade unionists by their suppliers.
Siemens told The Exeter Daily: "Following peaceful protests in recent days we have spoken to Unite and listened to their concerns. We have told them we are very surprised that they are targeting Siemens and there is no suggestion from them of any wrongdoing by us.
"Siemens does not tolerate illegal behaviour and we have sympathy with and support for the Union’s stance against alleged illegal ‘blacklisting.’
"We will continue to speak with Unite aiming to reach a resolution."
A spokesperson for Crossrail said: “The use of the Consulting Association by the construction industry to blacklist construction workers was indefensible. Crossrail Limited is not aware of, and has seen no evidence of, blacklisting of any kind in connection with the Crossrail project. All contractors working on Crossrail must comply with the law which explicitly outlaws this practice. Crossrail has made clear to the trades unions that we will take firm, decisive and immediate action if any substantive evidence is presented. To date, none has been forthcoming despite repeated requests.”
A spokesperson from John Lewis said: "We are aware that a small protest took place outside our Exeter shop yesterday. There has been no suggestion of any wrongdoing by John Lewis."
