Over 60 scaffolders striking over pay in Scunthorpe are hoping progress will be made
It's their ninth week of strike action at the British Steelworks site
Last updated 1st Dec 2021
Over 60 scaffolders at the British Steel site in Scunthorpe are into their 9th week of strike action over pay.
The workers are employed by Actavo (UK) Limited and they're asking to be paid in line with the national engineering construction industry.
Unite says the rates are currently 10 - 15 per cent below these rates.
David Birchall is a senior shop steward - he says they've been striking in the mornings every day since Oct 4th:
"The picket line is still strong. The lads are adamant that they deserve the rate of pay that they're asking for. We just seem to be stood waiting for something to give and we're hoping it does soon. We want to come back to work - but we want to come back for the right rates of pay"
"It's a very dangerous site - the jobs one of the most most dangerous jobs in the UK. Everybody else in the area within Actavo business itself is getting the rate of pay that we're asking for"
It's thought Sharon Graham, the leader of Britain's Union Unite, will join those striking this morning.
Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham said:
“The workers on strike have their union's steadfast support. My priority is to defend Unite members’ jobs, pay and conditions. Actavo and British Steel need to stop playing pass the parcel by blaming each other for underpaying the workers. It’s clear British Steel now needs to come to the negotiating table and resolve this dispute.
"Unite will not allow employers to break national agreements and erode workers' pay for greater profits. We are prepared to fight tooth and nail to stop the race to the bottom."
Actavo Uk said they are aware of the current industrial action by members of Unite.
The industrial action involves our workforce at British Steel who provide scaffolding services at the Scunthorpe site.
The company regrets the decision taken by Unite.
This dispute predates Actavo's contract with British Steel, which commenced on March 1st this year.
There have been inaccurate reports online against Actavo on this matter since industrial action began on the 4th of October, the company confirms that it continues to engage in good faith with Unite.
Actavo will continue to work on negotiations with Unite to work towards an agreeable solution.
The dispute, which began in 2019, is a result of the scaffolders not being paid in line with the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI).
A British Steel spokesman said:
“This matter involves employees of a contract company on our site. We have contingencies in place, and it will not impact on production.”