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.
ENDS
For further information please contact Unite communications
officer Liane Groves on 07793 661657 or Unite national officer
Bernard McAulay on 07958 514837.
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
