Crane operators in Falkirk strike over pay

Crane operators at Ainscough have been on strike over pay today

The strike at Ainscough Crane Hire is part of an ongoing pay dispute.

Unite, the country’s biggest union, which represents 500 crane operators and support staff members, has confirmed that pickets have been out in force today at the company’s 30 UK-wide depots, from Plymouth to the Falkirk site at Bankside Industrial Estate.

The workers, who operate cranes on some of the country’s biggest construction projects, including the new Forth Road Bridge, voted overwhelmingly for strike action after rejecting a two year pay deal which would have given a 2.5 per cent rise this year and 2.75 per cent next year.

Further strike action is due to follow and an overtime ban is in place.

The union has also accused the company of trhing to introduce zero hours contracts, but this has been denied by the employer.

Unite national officer for construction Bernard McAulay, said: “Ainscough has been sent a clear warning today by the workforce. Our members demand fair treatment for their hard work. The company needs to get back to the negotiating table ready to reach an amicable settlement to resolve this long running dispute.

“However we fear that the drive to lower pay for the workforce won’t stop with this pay offer. We are extremely concerned that Ainscough is now drawing up plans to rip up the industry-wide agreement by introducing zero hours contracts for a pool of workers.

“These workers will then be on hire and fire contracts reducing them to a disposable workforce. This will have serious safety implications for what is already one of the most dangerous industries in the country.”

Tonight, a spokesman for Ainscough said; “To provide clarity the actual pay offer is from June 2015 to May 2016 a 2.5 per cent increase on base rate, a 1.5 per cent depot performance bonus, a 2.5 per cent increase on radius allowance and an improved mileage allowance.

“From June 2016 to May 2017 a further 2.75 per cent increase on base rate, an increase to two per cent depot performance bonus and an increase to 2.75 per cent on the radius allowance.

“We absolutely are not replacing full time crane operators with zero hours contracts. What we have done is set up a small temporary labour pool of fully qualified personnel to assist in peak periods.”