Crossrail unworried by crane operator strikes
29 October 2014GREAT BRITAIN - Crossrail does not expect operator strikes against crane hire company HTC will cause any delays to construction, due to limited presence by that company on Crossrail sites. Construction union UCATT said in contrast: “Sites that are set to be affected by the industrial action includes: Crossrail, the London Bridge redevelopment, Nova Square Victoria, Elephant and Castle redevelopment and the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermarston.”
It added that contractors affected by the action include: Kier, Lend Lease, Bam, Costain, Mace and Vinci.
The industrial action was announced after UCATT balloted 180 crane operators during an argument over pay. The 180 plus crane drivers had a vote of 94 per cent in favour of strike action and 94.6 per cent in favour of industrial action short of strike action. The turnout was in excess of 80 per cent.
According to Cranes Today magazine, HTC has offered its operators a three per cent pay rise, with another three per cent coming next year. HTC managing director Dave Holder says, "Our offer of three per cent [...] double the rate of inflation. We see this as a fair and just reward. It's coupled to another three per cent offer next year as well, so it's six per cent over two years in all."
UCATT counters that the offer doesn't restore operators' wages to pre-2009 levels. Secretary general Steve Murphy says, "Crane drivers are fed up. They have endured years of pay cuts and seen their pay fall in real terms. The industry is booming but their employers are not prepared to pay up."
Holder disputed the union's claim, saying, "It is simply untrue to suggest pay levels are below 2008 figures. Any operator who joined HTC after 2011 has enjoyed year on year, above inflation pay increases. Whilst our utilisation is currently very healthy, our revenues are some considerable way from where we would like them to be."
