‘Pitiful’ pay offer

Last ditch talks to avoid an escalating pay dispute at the UK’s largest crane hire company, Ainscough, are set to take place this Thursday (November 5) after members of Unite rejected a ‘pitiful’ two -year pay deal.

Over 500 crane operators employed by the company, which hires cranes to the construction industry, have rejected a two year pay deal of 1.5 per cent and 1.75 per cent.

Unite’s crane operator members, working on major construction sites and projects across the UK such as the M1 and M6 motorway upgrades and new Forth Road Bridge, haven’t ruled out balloting for industrial action should talks fail.

“Our members are highly skilled crane operators making safety critical decisions on a minute by minute basis,” said Unite national officer Bernard McAulay. “They have played a critical role in making Ainscough the success it is today and in keeping Britain building.

“The last thing our members want to be doing is balloting for industrial action, but they feel pushed to breaking point by a pitiful pay offer which fails to address excessive overtime,” he added.

“We would urge management to use the opportunity of these talks to hammer out a deal that recognises their valuable contribution and avoids the prospect of a damaging pay dispute.”