Strikes over use of foreign workers

wisbech_lad

For the billionth time, the issue is not that EU nationals are working there, it is that British nationals did not even get a chance to apply.

Because of the nature of the contract - turnkey with all labour supplied. If the contract had gone to (say) the UK branch of Bechtel, and they had used 300 UK based workers, British nationals would stll not have had a chance to apply... Having seen projects fall apart because of poor management & unclear roles of subcontractors, I can see why Total wanted a "package"

British firms did have a chance to apply, some did, but didn't win the contract.

robpw2

Degenerate wrote: »

For the billionth time, the issue is not that EU nationals are working there, it is that British nationals did not even get a chance to apply.

it was a contract put out to tender , we dont kknow who applied all we know is total decided to choose the itallians

fedupnow

Quote:
Originally Posted by fedupnow
Perhaps they don't want British workers because of their tendency to strike.;)

I know this is tongue in cheek, but it does raise quite a pertinent point, in that exactly the opposite is true. Since Thatcher won the day back in the 80s, British workers have been among the least militant in Europe. The reaction now just shows how far they have been pushed.

Actually, one of the refineries that have walked for 'sympathy' is in the South of the County where I live they have walked out before here , here and here to name just three occasions and of course the current little dispute.

All quite embarrassing really.

sorry two of those were about the same one here is another here

and if you wonder what could happen if people carry on this could be the result here

Woby_Tide

robpw2 wrote: »

it was a contract put out to tender , we dont kknow who applied all we know is total decided to choose the itallians

I thought Total chose the Americans, who chose the Italians

fedupnow

ooops the links don't seem to work on an edit

here

And be aware that walking out doesn't always produce the desired result here

buckrogers

This uprising was inevitable, it was only a matter of time.
There is an awful lot of resentment brewing in this country and in a time of economic hardship it's only a matter of time before it erupts fully. I'm not saying it's necessarily right to point the blame at this or that, but I'm saying I can understand why many are starting to do so.

I think this is only the beginning

We got workers laid off - some with pay - most without - and they are importing workers?

You have people who will be made homeless because they are unable to pay their mortgages/rent etc., and they will see the imported workers having housing provided.

Can you blame anyone who has been recently a victim of the closures/short time working/3 day week etc., for being more than a tad miffed?

jane34

This story was in our local paper
I would like to point out before I post that I am not in anyway racist, in fact I believe that everyone is entitled to a chance, regardless of colour, religion etc.
But I was angry last week when a friend received a phone call from her son who had just come home from the job centre. The poor boy is 19, was doing a carpentry course but the firm he was doing his work experience at unfortunately had to close, and he took himself to the job centre is hope of finding work, any kind of work. The boy printed vacancies took them to an advisor and was told that he COULD NOT apply for any of the jobs.
The reason why....they were being kept for Polish workers.
The poor boy was very upset after being told to try again in a day or so to see if any new vacancies had been posted. How can we expect anyone to get a job in this country if companies only want foreign workers?

PROLIANT

Nail on the head Buckrogers.

gingerdad

wisbech_lad wrote: »

For the billionth time, the issue is not that EU nationals are working there, it is that British nationals did not even get a chance to apply.

Because of the nature of the contract - turnkey with all labour supplied. If the contract had gone to (say) the UK branch of Bechtel, and they had used 300 UK based workers, British nationals would stll not have had a chance to apply... Having seen projects fall apart because of poor management & unclear roles of subcontractors, I can see why Total wanted a "package"

British firms did have a chance to apply, some did, but didn't win the contract.

But it was an italian company who one the contract off course they are going to use there own workers, just like BAE in Saudi and countless hundurds of others. Germany in the 80s with british brickies.

I don't see what the issue is the company went to tender the italian company won. end of ......

british companies need to be more competitive.

GD

PROLIANT

gingerdad wrote: »

british companies need to be more competitive.
GD

No, not in a recession...we need to drive money in to our own economy and provide employment to our own, not some other nation, that is there problem not ours!