SSP statement on Power Station strikes
The SSP fully supports all those workers in the construction and engineering sectors taking strike action in defence of their jobs and those of future generations. This dispute is not directed, as suggested by the media, against foreign workers but rather against anti union employers and their refusal to employ UK labour for sub contracted work.
The SSP supports the free movement of labour and vehemently opposes racist immigration controls introduced by New Labour. At the same time however we unequivocally support the demand that UK workers should enjoy equal consideration for work on these contracts. We reject efforts by organisations such as the BNP to divide workers up on the basis of race or nationality.
This is fundamentally a dispute to defend jobs, wages and working conditions and it requires the unity of all workers, of all nationalities, in rejecting multi national employers' attempts to slash jobs, wages and conditions and trades union rights.
We urge UK unions to support those defending their right to work and to urgently meet with unions in Italy and Portugal to build a unified approach capable of halting employers efforts to divide and exploit workers across Europe.
January 30th 2009, 23.30