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Monday, 02 June 2008

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.