Alan Ritchie, has been re-elected by a clear majority, as General Secretary of construction union UCATT.

Mr Ritchie, defeated his opponent Michael Dooley, by 60% to 40%.

Mr Ritchie, said: "I am delighted that UCATT's members have shown their support for my leadership and have elected me for a second term. I am committed to building on the deep foundations laid in my first term, to ensure that UCATT continues to grow in membership, authority and influence."

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Mr Ritchie became General Secretary in 2004, prior to his election he was UCATT's Scottish regional secretary. During his first term in office he has prioritised the issues of casualisation, bogus self-employment, the high number of workplace deaths, the increase of gangmasters in construction and has campaigned to outlaw blacklisting. He has also restructured the union to improve the organisation's finances and to ensure that members receive a higher quality of service.

Mr Ritchie, added: "Construction workers face greater injustices and dangers at work than virtually any other profession. Those injustices and dangers will only be overcome through the organisation and drive of UCATT and its members."

(CD/JM)