Demonstrations call for four sacked trade union members to be reinstated

Demonstrations will be held outside the offices of Murphy construction companies in Newbridge, County Kildare, Warrington, Stafford and London tomorrow (21 December) over union busting at the group. 

The protests form part of a campaign to secure the reinstatement of four Unite members, including a Unite shop steward, who were dismissed by the group’s Irish subsidiary, Murphy International. Unite believes the reasons for the sacking are spurious and linked to the workers’ trade union membership. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite will do whatever it takes to defend our members and shop stewards from victimisation and that includes taking all necessary action to obtain justice for these workers.

“Much of the Murphy Group’s huge income has been generated by public contracts throughout Britain and Ireland. The authorities awarding such contracts should be aware that, in Unite’s view, the decision to dismiss our members, including a Unite shop steward, was part of an attempt at union-busting that will not be tolerated.”

The protests will take place at 0930 hrs at the following locations:

Great Connell, Greatconnell, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, W12 HD61, Ireland

Murphy Power Distribution Limited, Hawks Green Lane, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS117LH.

J. Murphy & Sons Limited, Hiview House, Highgate Road, London, NW5 1TN

Murphy Golborne Office, Wigan Road, Warrington, WA3 3UB   Unite national officer Jason Poulter said: “We are calling on Murphy group’s CEO, John Murphy to act now to reinstate our members and avoid further demonstrations, potential reputational damage, and the costs entailed by any legal action brought by Unite.”