Construction union UCATT is ramping up the pressure on local authorities and housing associations to re-employ workers made redundant in the wake of the collapse of the social housing company Connaught.
Nearly 1,500 workers – 581 in the south west and Midlands, 529 in the north, 289 in the south east and 61 in Scotland – have now lost their jobs since the failed social housing contractor called in administrators KPMG. Many workers were informed of their fate by conference call, text message or hastily-convened meetings.
Alan Ritchie, general secretary of UCATT, said: “These workers have dedicated their lives working for local councils. They have lost their jobs because of no fault of their own. Councils have a moral duty to take these services in-house and re-employ a dedicated workforce.”
He added: “Workers have been treated disgracefully and dismissed in the most callous way imaginable. And tenants are now in limbo, not knowing if essential repairs and much needed maintenance will be carried out.”
