Crane strike

Widespread disruption of construction sites across the UK is anticipated after Unite announced the first strike date at tower crane company HTC Wolffkran, in a dispute over pay.

The initial 24-hour strike on Friday, September 8, has been called as Unite was ‘left with no option’ when the company refused to return to the negotiating table.

HTC Wolffkran is the largest tower crane company in the UK and the strike will cause widespread disruption on many major projects including the new stadium being built by Tottenham Hotspur.

Members voted for strike action after the company refused to continue negotiations and imposed a two year deal on the workers of a three per cent pay increase in both years and increasing annual leave to the standard industry level. The imposed pay increase is a cut in real terms as the retail price index (RPI) is currently 3.6 per cent.

Unite national officer for construction Jerry Swain said, “Despite seeking fresh talks to avoid strike action, we have been unable to reach a satisfactory agreement and therefore have no option but to take strike action.

“Our members are simply not in a position to meekly accept an imposed pay increase, which is a pay cut in real terms compared to the current rate of RPI. This so called increase is in effect a substantial reduction when compared to the increases that workers are receiving in the industry.

“It in inevitable that strike action will cause widespread disruption on sites throughout the UK; this is a result of HTC Wolffkran’s management refusing to enter into meaningful negotiations which could have resolved this dispute,” he added.

“Even at this late stage Unite is entirely open to holding further talks and to explore ways in which industrial action can still be avoided.”