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| Construction workers on wildcat strike action over pay | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of construction workers have taken part in wildcat strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions. | Hundreds of construction workers have taken part in wildcat strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions. |
| Protests have been staged at sites in London, Cardiff, Manchester, Merseyside, Glasgow, Hull and Immingham on Wednesday morning. | Protests have been staged at sites in London, Cardiff, Manchester, Merseyside, Glasgow, Hull and Immingham on Wednesday morning. |
| Contractors say changes proposed by seven construction companies would mean lower wages, but the firms claim many workers would benefit. | Contractors say changes proposed by seven construction companies would mean lower wages, but the firms claim many workers would benefit. |
| The union Unite said it has not officially backed the strike action. | The union Unite said it has not officially backed the strike action. |
| 'Extremely frustrated' | 'Extremely frustrated' |
| In a recent ballot union members had voted 80% in favour of a strike action, which was originally intended for Wednesday. | In a recent ballot union members had voted 80% in favour of a strike action, which was originally intended for Wednesday. |
| However, Balfour Beatty Engineering Services challenged the walk out and a re-ballot was ordered by the trade union. | However, Balfour Beatty Engineering Services challenged the walk out and a re-ballot was ordered by the trade union. |
| Chris Weldon, a regional officer for Unite, said: "I believe the men are extremely frustrated at the moment that they're going to have these terms and conditions foisted upon them, which would be a 30% cut in their livelihood. | Chris Weldon, a regional officer for Unite, said: "I believe the men are extremely frustrated at the moment that they're going to have these terms and conditions foisted upon them, which would be a 30% cut in their livelihood. |
| "I fully understand why the guys are taking the action. | "I fully understand why the guys are taking the action. |
| "We've been warning employers that unless they come back to the table and negotiate with the union then things like this are going to take place." | "We've been warning employers that unless they come back to the table and negotiate with the union then things like this are going to take place." |
| Blane Judd, Chief Executive of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA) which represents the seven companies, said: "The claims by protesters and the Unite trade union that the new proposed agreement will lead to massive pay cuts and workers heading for the sack are total fiction. | Blane Judd, Chief Executive of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA) which represents the seven companies, said: "The claims by protesters and the Unite trade union that the new proposed agreement will lead to massive pay cuts and workers heading for the sack are total fiction. |
| "No-one will take a pay cut - in fact 30 per cent will see an increase in their pay packets - and no-one will lose their jobs." | "No-one will take a pay cut - in fact 30 per cent will see an increase in their pay packets - and no-one will lose their jobs." |
| He said a new national agreement aims to boost business efficiency, safeguard jobs and ensure pay equality. | He said a new national agreement aims to boost business efficiency, safeguard jobs and ensure pay equality. |
| Mr Judd said: "The BESNA national agreement is about responding to changes in the construction industry. | Mr Judd said: "The BESNA national agreement is about responding to changes in the construction industry. |
| "If we don't evolve then we can't remain competitive and we could see British firms lose jobs to foreign contractors." | "If we don't evolve then we can't remain competitive and we could see British firms lose jobs to foreign contractors." |