UCATT To Protest Against Tory MP In South West

Members of construction union UCATT will protest outside the office of senior Tory MP John Penrose, who is intent on privatising safety inspections if his party wins power.

The protest, on Wednesday 28 April, is scheduled to coincide with International Workers Memorial Day which has the slogan "Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living".

During their conference in October 2009 the Conservatives announced that if elected they would allow companies to undertake independent safety audits. Once these were completed companies would be able to bar Health and Safety Executive inspectors entering their sites, unless there was an emergency. Despite UCATT warning that the policy would increase workplace deaths. Mr Penrose the shadow business spokesperson confirmed in March 2010, that if elected the Conservatives will press ahead with the plans.


Nick Blundell, Regional Secretary for UCATT's Wales and South West Region, said: "The Conservatives' plans to privatise safety inspections, which are being championed by John Penrose, will lead to increased deaths and injuries of construction workers. These proposals must not go unchallenged. Local people should realise exactly what policies their MP is promoting."

(CD/GK)