Tower cranes across the country could be brought to a standstill as crews from UK’s second biggest supplier go on strike.
Nearly 100 tower crane operators at Wolffkran are taking strike action after not receiving a pay rise in three years. Workers’ representatives say that the company is now also seeking to cut some of their additional benefits, including standby payments.
Tower crane operators will be taking the first day of strike action on Tuesday 27th January and will then take strike action every fortnight from then on. Exact days will be determined by members at each site based on what will cause the most disruption.
Wolffkran has more than 220 tower cranes and operates on some of the biggest construction sites in the UK including the Grenfell Tower deconstruction, the Cambridge Science Park and the new headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts in Berkshire.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is completely unacceptable that highly skilled and vital construction workers have not seen their pay increase in three years. To add insult to injury Wolffkran is now attacking workers’ conditions.
“Unite is the UK’s principal construction union and we will be backing our members one hundred per cent in their dispute. They deserve a fair day’s pay.”
Unite regional officer Vince McCoy added: “These workers are doing a difficult, dangerous and highly stressful role. Without a pay rise for over three years and facing the threat of worse terms they have reached the end of their patience and are now taking strike action. We urge Wolffkran to come back with a much improved offer.”
Wolffkran UK declined to comment.
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