For Chris Harrop, there really is no alternative. “There are two options. We can either sit back and just accept the construction sector is in recession or try to do something about it.” He says Chris Haigh’s “can-do” attitude has “opened a lot of doors” to boost the joint campaign. Much has been achieved since May – with both Chrises drawing on their own skills, networks and contacts.
Encouraged by Unite and the company, over half Marshalls 2,000 strong work force has written to their MPs urging them to back the campaign. Get Britain building banners caught the cameras on the TUC march. Halifax MP Linda Riordan fixed up for the two Chrises to meet Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England and they presented a list of “shovel ready” projects to chancellor George Osbourne’s team.
Slim pickings But there has been no about turn on austerity measures – and slim pickings from the autumn statement. Chris Harrop is disappointed but undeterred.
“There was a lot of rhetoric at the end of the summer but the sad reality is the
government hasn’t followed through. We need to carry on making the case for construction, investing in infrastructure and housing, based on research showing how it benefits the wider economy.”
John Allott, Unite national officer, is a passionate advocate of the need for more social housing and a strong supporter of the joint campaign at Marshalls. It should, he says, act as a spur to others.
“We need people to take a lead from Chris Haigh who has got everyone involved and motivated. Building keeps money circulating in the British economy. But we are just not seeing enough of it. People are crying out for social housing but it’s just not being built. We need to get more people involved in campaigning for social housing and other building projects. We need our MPs to be banging on the government’s door demanding change. ”
And, of course, for the people at the sharp end, it’s also about “being able to have a job and earn a living”. An impressive number of workers at Marshalls are freshly energised by the GBB campaign and determined to spread the word.
Inset – Unite gets Britain building
As Linden Fielding put it, “We’re raising the issues, in the pub, at home wherever we can. The more people get involved the greater the pressure on the government to get Britain building”. And, of course, there’s nothing to stop Unite members from construction, banking, health or any other sector doing just that.
For more on the campaign visit
www.jobsandgrowth.co.uk
Building facts • every pound invested in construction generates £2.84 in economic activity
• 92p in every pound spent on construction stays in the UK
• construction employs circa nine per cent of the UK workforce
Right thing to do – Unite’s Chris Haigh
13 uniteWORKS January/February 2013
Mark Harvey
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