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Unions Win Better Pay For Scottish Local Government Craft Workers But Long Hours Culture Must End

Unions representing Scottish local government craft workers, led by construction union UCATT, have claimed victory in the first round of their battle to win improved pay and conditions for their members.

Following the first successful strike action last Monday (June 2) the unions UCATT, UNITE and the GMB today met with the employers side COSLA, to discuss how further strike action can be averted.

The employers agreed to improve the 2007 pay offer and increased the pay increase to 2.5 per cent for local government craft workers (carpenters, bricklayers, painters, labourers, electricians and plumbers) in line with all other local government workers in Scotland.

While the agreement on pay has been welcomed by the unions, the dispute will continue with workers striking for 24 hour every second Monday (the next strike is set for June 16) in councils which do not implement a 37 hour week for craft workers.

Currently 13 out of 32 Scottish local authorities insist that craft workers, work in excess of 37 hours. Noting the seriousness of the situation COSLA has stepped in and requested that the councils involved meet the unions next week, to hammer out a deal.

Unions will continue to hold 24 hour stoppages every fortnight in councils that fail to reduce the working week to 37 hours.

Harry Frew, regional secretary of UCATT’s Scottish region and the secretary of the Unions Joint Negotiating Committee, said: “Time is of the essence. The ball is firmly in the councils court if they wish to resolve the industrial action before the next strike action on June 16.”

The 13 local authorities which have a working week in excess of 37 hours and where strike action took place on Monday June 2 are: Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and Stirling.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

Harry Frew is available for interview

Local Authority Strike In Scotland A Great Success

Thousands of local authority craft workers in Scotland took strike action today (Monday 2 June) in a dispute over low pay and long hours.

Local authority craft workers (carpenters, bricklayers, painters, plumbers and electricians) led by construction union UCATT, walked out in 13 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities. The dispute concerns the 2007 pay round where craft workers were offered a pay rise of just 2.45 per cent, and a refusal to reduce the working week for local authority craft workers from 39 to 37 hours a week. The pay offer was lower than offered to all other local government workers in Scotland.

The local authorities where industrial action was taken were those where craft workers are still expected to work in excess of 37 hours. Craft workers were on strike in: Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and Stirling.

Harry Frew, Regional Secretary of UCATT’s Scottish region, said: “Local authority craft workers in Scotland are the lowest paid construction workers in the country. Craft workers work longer hours than other local authority staff who they work alongside.”

UCATT believes that the industrial action can be resolved if there is a willingness to treat craft workers equally and fairly. Already around six local authorities targeted by the industrial action have indicated that they are now willing to reduce the hours that craft workers are required to work.

Mr Frew, added: “Strike action will continue until the concerns of our members have been addressed.”

Further strike action is planned for every second Monday until the dispute is resolved. It is possible that the dispute may escalate to all 32 local authorities in Scotland.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

Notes to Editors: Members of the trade union UNITE are also involved in the industrial action.

UCATT Scottish Local Government Workers Decide On Strike Action

Hundreds of local government craftworkers will take strike action on Monday 2 June in a dispute over pay and conditions.

The workers who are members of construction union UCATT, are employed by 13 local authorities. They will hold a 24 hour stoppage. Further industrial action will then take place every other Monday until the dispute is resolved.

The dispute has been caused by Scottish local government employers only offering workers a below inflation pay rise of 2.45 per cent in the 2007 pay round. Earlier this month UCATT members voted 2 to 1 in favour of strike action.

UCATT are also aggrieved that some Scottish local authorities have failed to reduce the working week from 39 to 37 hours. It is these authorities that UCATT will initially target with industrial action.

Harry Frew regional secretary of UCATT Scotland, said: “Local government employers must realise that they cannot treat dedicated hardworking craftworkers with contempt. Industrial action is always a last resort but it has been forced on us because of the inflexible attitude of employers.”

The local authorities where strike action will occur are: Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Ayrhsire , North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and Stirling

Local Government craftworkers are employed to perform housing and building maintenance tasks. They include, carpenters, bricklayers, painters and labourers.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on  0780 2329235

Scottish Local Government Workers Vote Heavily For Strike Action

Scottish local Government craftworkers have voted overwhelmingly for strike action.

The workers, members of construction union UCATT, voted by 67.9 per cent to 32.1 per cent in favour of strike action. An even greater majority of members voted in favour of action short of a strike.

The dispute concerns the below inflation pay offer of 2.45 per cent that local government craftworkers received in 2007. The dispute has become more entrenched as local government bosses have refused to negotiate on other issues in the original pay claim including a reduction in the working week.”

Harry Frew, UCATT Scotland Regional secretary, said: “UCATT workers have overwhelmingly voted for strike action because of the appalling manner in which they have been treated by local government bosses. Hard working cratfworkers should not be forced into poverty through low pay.”

The next stage in the dispute will see the joint trade unions, led by UCATT meet and decide on exactly what form of industrial action will be taken.

Mr Frew, added: “Given the strength of feeling among my members I hope that local government bosses will now return to the negotiating table.”

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235