LONDON, February 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Alstom is very disappointed to learn that Unite the Union is planning a protest outside Alstom's office in London today (Thursday, 5th February.) The company refutes Unite's allegations that it has allowed two of its Spanish subcontractors to discriminate against British workers at the Staythorpe power station construction site in Nottinghamshire. UK workers will make up around two thirds of the total workforce for the total build period of the Staythorpe power station.

Alstom has always maintained an open dialogue with its unions and will continue to do so. Alstom yesterday received written assurances from both Spanish subcontractors at Staythorpe, FMM and Mompresa, that they will actively consider suitably qualified local workers for work in the event of additional manpower being required. EU UK laws make it illegal to instruct subcontractors to employ or not employ workers of a particular nationality. These assurances have been provided in full to members of the project joint council (PJC) at the Staythorpe site, on which representatives from subcontractors and Unite, who also jointly chair the council, sit as members.

To date FMM and Mompresa have resourced their work packages at Staythorpe with their own existing workforce. We have provided both companies with the job applications of local skilled workers in readiness if they need to recruit additional workers at the site.

In line with both EU and UK law Alstom has never and will never tolerate or instruct discriminatory or illegal action of any kind and ensures this applies to all of its UK operations including its engineering construction sites. In addition, all of Alstom's construction sites for power stations strictly adhere to and are fully compliant with national agreements in place (NAECI) which ensure safe working, correct pay and conditions for workers regardless of their nationality, in the engineering construction industry.

Suitably qualified subcontractor companies from within the EU, whether UK based or elsewhere in the EU, all have an equal chance to bid for work packages on Alstom power station projects in the UK. Bids are carefully assessed and fairly awarded based on a number of industry recognised criteria which include a company's track record on delivery to project deadlines, the competiveness of its terms and conditions and proven evidence of technical expertise.

Notes to editors:

1. Alstom is an international company employing more than 76,000 people in over 70 countries. These include 5,000 people in the UK, working in the transport and power industries, the vast majority being UK nationals.

2. The total lifecycle build of the Staythorpe power station construction project will be approximately 30 months from start to finish.

3. Alstom trains and recruits 30 apprentices each year and will employ 120 apprentices across its UK business by the end of 2009 and has recently invested in two new training workshops in Stafford and Rugby.

Contact: Deborah Risby, Alstom T: +44(0)7875-881217 E: deborah.risby@chq.alstom.com Chatsworth Communications T:+44(0)20-74409780 E: contact@chatsworthcommunications.com

Contact: Deborah Risby, Alstom, T: +44(0)7875-881217, E: deborah.risby@chq.alstom.com; Chatsworth Communications, T:+44(0)20-74409780, E: contact@chatsworthcommunications.com