Workers Fired after Asbestos Protest

May 31, 2006 - A group of workers in the United Kingdom were all fired at the end of a two-week protest which centered on improper removal of asbestos from a building site in Pembrokeshire, England.

The 250 workers, who were employed by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, were welders, steel erectors, and laborers, according to articles in several English newspapers.  They began their strike on May 11th and were ready to return to work (after assurances that their surroundings were safe) when they found that they had all been fired.

The men had requested that the asbestos found at the liquefied natural gas terminal at which they’d been working be “damped down” during the day and that the company install onsite showers so that they would not be bringing dangerous asbestos into their home, therefore exposing their spouses and children to the dust.  The company had refused.

“We don’t want to be taking dangerous dust home to our families. We are also worried that buses used on site could then be used for school runs,” stated one of the terminated workers.

He added that the asbestos was removed at night and the process had been going on for weeks before workers became aware of it. Welder and union shop steward Doug Corbett said the asbestos removal had been a “clandestine operation”.

The men are rallying to be reinstated, noting that their families are suffering due to current lack of wages. 

“We want our jobs back and then any issues about safety can be sorted out inside the gate in the usual manner,” added Corbett.  “The company has allowed it to escalate to this extent. We have handled ourselves fairly and considerately.”