The IWGB has launched a self-employed electricians branch, while vowing to repeat the victories of couriers, Uber drivers and cleaners' campaigns.
The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) union launched its first electrical workers branch, which aims to organise self-employed electricians across the country.
The union estimates there are around 85,000 people in the sector who are either working for themselves or for other under “gig-economy” contracts.
Electricians have a long history of radical strike action, including a series of infamous wildcat strikes in 2012 that saw the “sparks” take action against the British Engineering Services National Agreement (Besna).
Professionals on permanent contracts can join other unions, but self-employed electricians have barely been represented until now.
Electrician Michael Andradyn told Left Foot Forward he had the chance to join a bigger union:
“However, we chose to join IWGB because of its young history and the recent success it had in defending workers against major employers.”
Self-employed electricians can be found on most constructions sites, and are vulnerable to a series of employer pressures and abuses. Underpayment and 12-hour shifts, as well as a lack in safety measures on site, are just some of the problems facing precariously employed electricians. Many are employed under umbrella companies which then fail to pay and are hard to chase up.
Founding member Ricky Howell echoed Andradyn saying:
“My first experience of being exploited and realising we needed change was getting paid under the umbrella scheme. I had no idea what it was as the agency never explained it properly. I ending up losing £700 over seven weeks and realised the industry needs educating as well as a voice to support us.”
The umbrella company problem is widespread in the “gig-economy” sector, but particularly rife in construction.
IWGB general secretary Dr Jason Moyer-Lee explained:
“The multiple layers of outsourcing, subcontracting, agencies, umbrella companies and bogus classification as independent contractors necessarily result in the unfair treatment and exploitation of these workers. The IWGB is about to shine a massive spotlight on this nasty industry and start whipping it into shape.”
The branch is also hoping to tackle the serious de-professionalisation and de-skilling in the construction sector, where 16-week training courses lead to disconcertingly under-qualified workers doing dangerous electrical jobs.
Electrician Sam McDouall also recently joined the branch saying:
“We wanted a union that would fight for the interests of self-employed electricians and wasn’t riddled with bureaucracy, so we turned to the IWGB. We need to fight back against the abuse and de-skilling which is becoming increasingly common in our sector, and through the IWGB we will do just that.”
The branch’s inaugural meeting is set to take place on July 26, in London, where the union hopes to start working immediately.
The IWGB previously led successful campaigns with migrant and “gig-economy” workers, including Uber drivers and Addison Lee couriers.
Joana Ramiro is a reporter for Left Foot Forward. You can follow her on Twitter for all sorts of rants here.
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