Union activists were planning the unofficial action at the Isle of Grain power station as part of an ongoing campaign against local labour losing out to cheaper foreign workers.
The protest was agreed at a rank-and-file meeting of Unite members in London last week where more than 50 activists met to discuss tactics. A march by unemployed workers was also staged in Liverpool on Saturday.
One Unite activist told ContractJournal.com: “This issue is here to stay because we are fighting for our livelihoods.
“We are not going to stand by and watch the employers bring in cheaper labour from abroad.
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“We have already seen evidence of foreign workers being paid less and that goes against the whole principle of our national agreements.”
Polish contractor Remak was found to be paying tradesmen ВЈ4 an hour less than the agreed rate at the Isle of Grain.
Construction of power plants and steelwork is covered by the Naeci “blue book” agreement which is due to be reviewed this year.
A first round of talks was held earlier this month but the negotiations had been previously suspended following an earlier round of demonstrations over foreign labour.
Employers’ leaders at the Engineering Construction Industry Association said: “We will not take part in the Naeci Wage and Conditions review 2010 under such duress.”
The next round of discussions is due to take place on April 8. But the talks could be threatened by next week’s protest.
One activist said: “Why should it bother us if the talks are suspended – we’re not getting work anyway so it’s irrelevant to talk about pay and conditions.”
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