Hundreds of construction workers are to stage another protest next week outside the £800 million energy from waste Park Adfer site in Flintshire, Wales.

Members of Unite the union, along with other trade unionists, will hold a demonstration outside the Deeside site due to French contractor CNIM failing to stick to recognised industry agreements. A previous demonstration was held at the site on 17 April.

According to Unite, the project's workforce are being paid as little as £8.75 an hour, meaning workers are potentially receiving 63% below the agreed standard construction rate of £17.39 for this type of mechanical engineering development.


CNIM has been appointed by American firm Wheelabrator to deliver the Park Adfer project. The client is North Wales Residual Waste Treatment Partnership which is led by Flintshire county council and includes Conwy borough council, Denbighshire county council, Gwynedd county council and Isle of Anglesey county council.

Unite added it believes contractors are also undermining safety, welfare provisions, training and failing to recruit local workers on the project.

Regional Officer Steve Benson said: "It is appalling that workers are being exploited through low pay on a project ultimately funded by the taxpayer.

"Unite has been working to resolve the exploitation on the site but we have been met with warm words but no action.

"Workers are receiving a pittance compared to what they should be receiving for the work they are undertaking.

"By failing to comply with the correct industrial agreements the companies are undermining pay rates across the entire industry and creating a race to the bottom.

"The local authorities need to stop pretending to look the other way and to take responsibility for the exploitation and misery that is being created on their watch."

The protest will take place between 5.30am – 12pm at Park Adfer, Weighbridge Road, Deeside on Wednesday, 30 May.

(LM/MH)