As we consider the plight of British Steel鈥檚 workers, in 1999 steelworkers had the chance to fight for their rights on the highest of high-profile projects.
Steel erectors at the Millennium Dome went on strike for the reinstatement of the 拢1-an-hour London weighting, which was taken away during the early 1990s recession. With the opening of the dome only five months aways, they had the leverage of a deadline on their side. The 30 dome workers were joined by more than 100 steel erectors from other major London sites, including the 拢100m Merrill Lynch headquarters in the City.
A circular distributed to the strikers said more action would follow. 鈥淲ednesday the 18th will not be an isolated incident. We are committed to campaigning until this issue is fully resolved in our favour,鈥� it said.
One of the strikers said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e only asking for an extra 拢1 an hour to increase our pay by about 拢50 per week. I don鈥檛 think that is unreasonable.鈥�
A spokesperson for New Millennium Experience Company said: 鈥淲orkers from the Millennium Dome have joined the strike and protest in central London. However, the majority of steelwork here is complete so the stoppage does not affect us.鈥�
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