England: Issues with wages for workers on Everton Stadium construction

31.01.2024 10:49 source: StadiumDB.com; author: Paulina Skóra

As reported by the Liverpool ECHO, electricians working at Bramley Moore Dock are entangled in a dispute over wage and overtime-related issues. This is not the first instance of conflict on the construction site of the new Everton stadium. What happened this time?

No pay, no work

On Wednesday, January 24, several electricians working on the new Everton FC stadium contacted the Liverpool ECHO and reported that around 150 workers left the construction site at 3:30 PM. One of the electricians, who requested anonymity, claimed that this was due to problems with wages and the lack of compensation for overtime work.

We leave the construction site at 3:30 because that's when our legal eight hours of work are up. We're doing everything correctly. We are qualified workers and we want fair pay, said one of the workers. Employees plan to continue leaving the stadium site at the same time until this issue is resolved. It is said that electricians working for three contractors have joined the action. Another electrician, who spoke to ECHO about the mass strike, stated that calls for a raise have been ignored, and he is the one taking a stand. The man, who has been working at the site for about six months, claimed that the problems have been ongoing for several weeks.

Construction of Everton Stadium © CP OVERVIEW

Controversies surrounding construction

This is not the first time controversies have arisen around the construction, and the Unite union previously claimed that the construction company prevented representatives from entering the construction site to talk to workers, although Laing O'Rourke officials denied those claims. In August 2022, there were also protests related to union representation, and Laing O'Rourke stated then that they recognize and support the workers' right to join a union. ECHO reached out to Laing O'Rourke for comment on the electricians' claims, but the contractor declined to comment.

Laing O'Rourke, whose mission is to be a recognized leader in innovation and excellence in the construction industry, won the tender for the construction of the new Everton stadium in 2020. The facility is to be located a short distance from the city center and will have a capacity of 52,888 spectators. Everton is set to move to its new home at the start of the 2025/2026 season.