FEATURE Health and safety
n By Keith Hatch
SAFETY MUST COME FIRST Unite stands with whistleblower Danny
Unite organised a colourful and noisy central London protest supporting a member removed from work simply for highlighting poor safety practices.
Electrician Danny Thomas had been working for Llorets, before the main contractor, Wates, demanded his removal.
While installing building management systems on the site Danny became aware of poor safety practices allowing asbestos to be exposed during the refurbishment.
Worried about potentially serious health impacts on fellow workers he raised the issue with managers. But despite multiple attempts to highlight his concerns, he was ignored.
However, the Unite activist wasn’t going to be stopped when it came to protecting co-workers’ health, so he informed the local council and HSE about the site’s poor asbestos practices.
This resulted in Danny being escorted from the site on Wates’ orders for alleged trade union activities and conspiring to have the site’s health and safety manager dismissed.
Danny immediately informed Unite about this and regional officer Vince McCoy lost no time in organising a demonstration outside the site.
When Danny tried to return to work he was joined by a large group of Unite activists and officers who made their presence felt with flags and banners and even the Grinch joined in.
Unite not only demanded Danny be reinstated, and his legitimate safety concerns be acted upon, but highlighted the asbestos risk on site, encouraging workers to sign up to Unite’s Risk Register.
Vince said, “Danny is a Unite activist and for him to be removed from work for raising health and safety issues regarding hidden asbestos on this project is outrageous.
“Sadly managers seem more concerned with hiding their dangerous working practices from the council and HSE than keeping their workforce safe from the potential long term health effects of asbestos.”
Unite national officer, Jason Poulter joined the demonstration. He said, “Unite will not stand by and accept this treatment of one of our members, who is being targeted for raising concerns about asbestos management on the site.
“Asbestos is one of the most dangerous health issues in construction and employers need to take it seriously.”
21 unite buildingWORKER Spring 2025
Following the protest Vince said Unite will continue to support Danny, who had feared Wates’ actions could lead to him being blacklisted.
Danny said that the support he had received from Unite had been great and made him feel part of a family.
Danny said, “I’m in a situation that many workers face, but it’s good to have the backing of Unite to help me. The level of support and back up from Unite Construction has been overwhelming.”
Danny has now found work with a new electrical company, which is far more union friendly, and has just been elected as communications officer within his Unite branch.
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It’s good to have the backing of Unite to help me. The level of support and back up from Unite Construction has been overwhelming
Danny Thomas, Unite rep
Mark Thomas
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