The UK and Ireland’s largest union has welcomed the government’s
announcement today (Tuesday 11 February) that HS2 will be given
the green light to procced.
However, Unite is concerned that the review into the cost of HS2
does not lead to further delays in completing the project and
that instead the time is used to examine how the project can be
completed more quickly and fully integrated into current and
future rail projects.
Despite the government’s belated decision to back the project,
Unite still has major concerns that workers will be properly
treated and existing agreements on union access to the project’s
sites are upheld, following the controversy at the Euston site
being undertaken by the Costain/Skanska joint venture.
Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said: “The
decision to go ahead with HS2 is good news for the economy in
general and is an immediate fillip to the construction sector.
“When HS2 was originally proposed by the previous Labour
government it enjoyed cross party support, in its vision to
better connect London to the North West and Yorkshire, generating
a significant boost for business.
“The review of the northern sections of HS2 must not be an excuse
for further delays, instead the government must look on how the
final completion date can be brought forward, while applying
joined up thinking. Ensuring that an effective cross Pennine
northern rail line is linked into HS2 and built as soon as
practical.
“Public procurement must be for public good and that means a
respect for workers’ terms and conditions. If HS2 is going to be
delivered without further delays or cost increases it is
imperative unions play a full part in the project.
“There can no room as the HS2 project now fully moves forward for
the bad practices of Costain and Skanska to be allowed re-occur.”
