Scottish local authority craft workers ballot for strike action

1 May 2008

Unite, Scotland's biggest union, has today sent out strike ballot papers to thousands of craft workers across local authorities in Scotland.

The union says Scottish local authorities are refusing to treat Scottish craft workers equally.

Scottish local authority craft workers currently work a 39 hour week. Craft workers in the rest of the UK work 37 hours. 5 years ago other local authority workers in Scotland had their hours reduced from 39 hours to 37 without any loss of pay.

Unite also rejected the 2.45% pay offer as other workers in Scottish local authorities received a higher pay increase.

Unite national officer, John Allot, says: "We are demanding that Scottish local authorities put an end to the unequal treatment of our members. Local authority craft workers currently work alongside other colleagues who work fewer hours and received a higher pay deal this year. This is totally unacceptable and the union has no choice but to ballot its members for strike action because of this unequal treatment."