Birmingham UCATT members balloted for strike action

Members of construction union UCATT, working for Birmingham Council will receive ballot papers for industrial action from 21^st January .

The dispute is due to Birmingham council’s decision to impose new contracts on the vast majority of its workforce. Under the new arrangements many already poorly paid workers are set to face large reductions in their pay.

Tensions are running particularly high at the council as the Conservative/Lib Dem administration have pressed ahead with the contract changes and have refused to come to an individual or collective agreement on their proposals.

Steve Murphy, regional secretary of UCATT Midlands Region, said: “The heavy handed arrogant manner in which Birmingham council has imposed these new contracts, have left UCATT with no option but to ballot our members for industrial action”.

The deadline for ballot papers to be returned is 28^th January. If members vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could begin as early as 4^th February.

The other Town Hall unions based in Birmingham; UNISON, GMB and Unite are also balloting for industrial action.