Alsthom has been contracted by Eon to build a gas-fired power station near Grain in Kent. Unite wanted Alsthom to include a clause in the tendering process, that any sub contractor would endeavour to use UK or local labour. Alsthom refused and appointed Polish construction company, Remak.

The union fear that Remak will bring in workers from abroad. The contract to build the main boiler for the site is expected to provide work for up to 200 people for a six to nine month period.

"You have a situation where UK customers are paying extortionate energy bills to a German energy giant, who contracts a French multinational to build its new power stations who then employs a Polish subcontractor who, we fear, will bring in workers from abroad instead of giving local workers a chance to apply for work. Who is benefiting from this globalisation? – certainly not UK consumers or workers"

The situation in Kent follows a similar situation at Staythorpe power station construction site near Newark where in Alsthom appointed two Spanish contracting companies Montpressa and FMM, who informed Unite they had no intention of employing any local labour to undertake the work.

The union is seeking a meeting with Remak.