Construction workers to march on Parliament

Construction workers will march on Parliament after demonstrating at the Olympic 2012 site next week.

Activists from Unite and the GMB will take their call for improved working conditions to Westminster where they are planning to meet with MP John McDonnell.

Unite members from the London and South East Construction branch are drumming up numbers for the demonstration via a determined internet campaign.

The protest will take place at 6.30am next Wednesday at the main gate to the Olympic site in Stratford.

Olympic Delivery Authority leaders said they won’t be laying-on any extra security to deal with the demonstration.

Unite’s hierarchy has been trying to persuade the protesters to abandon the event which does not have the official backing of the union.

Protester Phil Willis said: "There’s a lot of backing for us out there at grass roots level and after the Olympic demo we will be going to the House of Commons to press our claims further."

The protesters are demanding blanket direct employment on the 2012 site. They also want to see all industry pay deals adhered to and the unions to have control over hiring labour.

An ODA spokesperson said: "We are committed to fair employment standards and positive industrial relations on the Olympic Park. There are high levels of direct employment on the site and an agreement with construction unions includes recognition of national working rule agreements, training and local employment."

One industrial relations expert said: "They’ve got the right site in publicity terms but not when it comes to their demands.

"The Olympic industrial relations agreement was signed by all the unions so it’s hard to understand what they think they will achieve."