Unions accept ODA's terms of employment

A deal on employment conditions on the London Olympics has been ratified by all three construction unions.

Bob Blackman, national secretary of the TGWU section of Unite, said: "The memorandum of agreement provides a full commitment to the ethos of direct employment. It represents an agreement that the trade unions believe will be of benefit to all parties."

Blackman described the commitment to direct employment as "unqualified" and said there was no reference to it being "as far as is practicable".

Tom Hardacre, national officer of the Amicus section of Unite, said the document provides "a strong commitment to direct employment".

A spokesman for UCATT said substantial progress had been made on the issue of direct employment. A formal signature is pending. The GMB is understood to have signed the agreement this week.