Manuel Cortes, general secretary of TSSA, has warned of “looming industrial action” at Balfour Beatty where union members are being balloted in a dispute over pay
Union members at Balfour Beatty weren’t offered any pay rise for 2020 and only a rise of 2% from this April. This comes at a time when the company is paying out nearly £2m in bonuses to senior managers and turning a profit close to £50m.
From today (6 May) TSSA members who are part of the Central Rail System Alliance – working on railway track renewals, maintenance and upgrades – will start receiving their ballots asking them what industrial action they are formally prepared to take, up to and including a strike.
A recent referendum showed total agreement against Balfour’s pay offer and, again, members were 100% in favour of being balloted for industrial dispute action.
‘Insulting and unacceptable’ pay offer
Union boss Cortes, said: “Our brilliant members have shown huge commitment and sacrifice, working through this terrible pandemic, to deliver positive results for Balfour Beatty.
“Now it’s time for the company to step up to the plate with an improved offer – and avoid this looming industrial action.
“No one wants a strike, but we won’t stand by and see our members kicked in the teeth after what has been the hardest year, while company executives trouser huge bonuses. As things stand Balfour Beatty’s pay offer is insulting and unacceptable. We are just not having it.
“The fat cats at Balfour Beatty still have time to put this right and we are willing to sit down and discuss – but only if they make it clear they are prepared to improve the terms being offered, in line with our members’ expectations.”
