Protests at the Robert McAlpine offices in Leeds.
Protests at the Robert McAlpine offices in Leeds.

Construction union UCATT have strongly criticised the heavy handed security which occurred today (November 20) during a peaceful protest outside the Merrion Centre in Leeds.

The protesters were demonstrating as part of the TUC Day of Action on blacklisting outside the Merrion Centre where leading blacklisting company Robert McAlpine has an office.

The protesters had obeyed all the instructions to protest outside the building. However trouble occurred when some of the protesters were invited to access the building to visit the offices of the PCS union which is situated inside the Merrion Centre.

Security barred anyone from entering the building and then assaulted several of the protesters. One of the protesters was hospitalised after the confrontation.

Rob Morris, Regional Secretary of UCATT Yorkshire, said: “This was an appalling incident and was totally unnecessary. This was an entirely peaceful and good natured protest and for security to act in this way is reprehensible.”

This article orginally appeared at: http://www.ucatt.org.uk/ucatt-deplores-heavy-handed-security-peaceful-leeds-blacklist-protest

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