CONSTRUCTION and rail industry unions have been invited to join one of
the main consortia bidding to build and operate the #2.7 billion Channel
Tunnel rail link.
German construction firm Hochtief, electronics multinational Siemens
and UK building contractor Costain, which confirmed the offer in
Blackpool, are behind what is seen as the first ''social partnership''
plan of its kind in Britain.
Welcoming the offer, which is being given serious consideration,
General, Municipal and Boilermakers' union general secretary John
Edmonds described it as the reality of European Social Partnership
arriving in Britain despite the opposition of the Tory Government.
The four unions -- GMB,TGWU, RMT and Aslef -- had been invited to
participate and to contribute money because the companies recognised
that working together was better for business and employees.
Mr Edmonds was enthusiastic at the possibility of the unions being
involved in negotiations on training, safety, and working conditions
from the start, and not having to battle to change them halfway through
as was the case when the Tunnel was built.
However, the unions still have to find out what level of investment
they would be expected to make and some may have doubts about serving on
the supervisory board of the consortium, which would effectively make
them part of management.
If the unions do agree to participate, they would be minority partners
investing on a commercial basis.
There are four consortia bidding for the contract to build and operate
the link between the tunnel and terminals at London's St Pancras and
Waterloo stations. Up to 10,000 construction workers would be employed.
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