CONSTRUCTION union Ucatt rejected a company’s claim yesterday that it was “welcome” to talk to workers on a development site after being barred from the site.

Building contractor Shepherd banned all trade unions from the site of a new £23 million library at the University of Leeds following a protest by activists outside the site on Tuesday, as reported in the Morning Star.

A spokesman said yesterday that there was “no exception” made for construction union Ucatt. 

“The feedback we receive from workers is that impromptu visits can be disruptive so, as previously discussed with Ucatt, we respectfully request that all visits are prearranged to fit with our construction schedules on site,” he added. 

“Each month, such requests are discussed with all workers — both direct employees and subcontractors — and are scheduled according to their preference.

“As a specific reason for Ucatt’s visit had not been stated by its representatives, workers onsite have so far stated a preference not to host a site visit.”

But Ucatt said Shepherds’s procedure means the union would have to name individuals on site they want to speak to — raising fears they would be picked out as troublemakers. 

Regional organiser Mark Martin said: “Ucatt has repeatedly tried to make arrangements to visit workers on the site. Shepherd said it had to be specifically to meet a particular worker.

“We have not been allowed even to distribute materials or put posters on the site.”

This week’s protest won support from union members at the university, including members of the University and College Union.