Council joiners, plumbers, electricians and heating engineers could be set to strike

dailyrecord.co.uk:

West Lothian Council joiners, plumbers, electricians and heating engineers are among workers being balloted for strike action over pay.Unite the union said over 200 craft members employed by the local authority are being balloted on strike action in a dispute over money-owed under the terms of a collective agreement covering the workforce.The dispute centres on the failure by West Lothian Council to remunerate craft workers carrying out additional tasks under the terms of Craft Agreement 2007.

The craft workforce includes joiners, plumbers, electricians, plasterers, bricklayers, skilled labourers, blacksmiths, and heating engineers.The ballot for industrial action ends on August 29.Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “West Lothian Council refuses to this day to remunerate workers under the terms of an agreement established in 2007.“The Council continues to ignore its obligation to pay up.

This is unacceptable which is why we are balloting over 200 craft workers on strike action. We will back our members all the way in the fight to have their jobs, pay and conditions respected and honoured.”The unions said any disruption caused by industrial action will directly impact Housing Services and council buildings.They say council house repairs will be significantly delayed and empty houses will remain unfit to be let out.The trade union further claims that untrained workers could be left to carry out work in council homes at various times up to 8pm in the evening, however the council stressed it is “unaware of any situation which would result in untrained staff undertaking repairs”.Graeme Turnbull, Unite industrial officer, added: “West Lothian Council has repeatedly failed to respect the terms of the Craft Agreement