Scaffolders employed by Actavo at British Steel in Scunthorpe have voted for more industrial action in 2022.
After 12 weeks of strike action in 2021, 83 per cent of the workers voted in favour of more action in 2022. The scaffolders have agreed to begin continuous strike action beginning on Wednesday 26th January.
In the long-running dispute over the scaffolders pay Unite said Actavo and British Steel need to take responsibility for the ‘mess’ they have created by refusing to apply the national agreement and pay workers the rate for the job.
The scaffolders are in dispute with their employer Actavo (UK). But Unite says that the client, British Steel, must also take responsibility for this long-running dispute.
Problems began in 2019, as a result of the scaffolders not being paid in line with the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI). The rates for the workforce are currently between 10-15 per cent (depending on specific roles) below these rates. The workers maintain 500 scaffolding structures at the British Steel site.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “Both Actavo and British Steel need to take responsibility and sort this mess out. I hope this overwhelming vote for more strike action in 2022 will focus minds and spur the management into action to resolve this dispute.
“The employers could have industrial peace in 2022. Or else we are prepared to fight tooth and nail to stop the race to the bottom.”
Unite regional officer Richard Bedford said: “There is an unwavering determination to protect the national agreement and the rate for the job. We call on both British Steel and Actavo to join Unite in tripartite discussions. It’s time to stop passing the buck and for all parties to get around the negotiating table so the scaffolders can get back to work.”
