Unite condemns Balfour Beatty's legal challenge to its overwhelming 'yes' vote and vows to reballot

1 December 2011

Unite the union has today (Thursday) condemned Balfour Beatty's use of draconian ballot laws to prevent construction workers from taking legal industrial action further to the overwhelming yes vote earlier in the week, as the union vows to reballot.

Members of the country's biggest union, Unite, working at Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES) voted yes to strike action by a resounding 81 per cent over the unprecedented attack that will see mass de-skilling and huge pay cuts across the industry.

Unite intends to re-ballot BBES, along with two other companies, that have threatened to pull out of long standing collective agreements and sack their workers who do not sign up to inferior contracts.

Unite national officer, Bernard McAulay, said: “BBES is aware that over 80 per cent of Unite members who returned their ballot papers voted in favour of strike action. Our members have taken this step because of their deep concerns over the proposals by their employer to de-skill their industry.

“But rather than listen and return to the negotiating table, BBES have chosen to hide behind draconian ballot laws and challenge the democratic voice of BBES employees by quoting concerns, as to whether they have been advised of the correct name of workplaces and concerns, as to whether a handful of staff employees received ballot papers.

“It is the experience of Unite that once members have had the courage to vote for strike action they will not be discouraged by an employer who refuses to engage with the workers, but would rather engage the service of expensive lawyers.

“Clearly, BBES values the skills of its lawyers more than the skills of its workforce.

“We now have a window of opportunity for BBES to talk with us. In fact, Unite contacted Acas to seek its help in bringing a negotiated settlement to this dispute.

“However, if BBES continue on its path of imposition and Unite is forced to re-ballot, then we have no doubt, our members will again vote overwhelmingly for strike action. This dispute will not be resolved until BBES recognises the legitimate concerns of our members."

Unite will announce the dates of the reballot with BBES and the next two employers in due course.

Notes:

The seven major contractors currently involved in pulling out of five long standing collective agreements are: Balfour Beatty Engineering Services Limited; NG Bailey Building Services; Crown House Technologies; Gratte Brothers; Spie Matthew Hall; Shepherd Engineering Services (SES); and T. Clarke Plc

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