“Craftworkers deserve better”

Unite is taking its campaign to improve pay and conditions for local government craftworkers to the Local Government Association national conference today (Wednesday 8 July) as the dispute escalates.

The conference brings together local government leaders and policy makers from across England and Wales, and a protest will take place outside the Bournemouth International Centre at lunchtime to raise the issue with delegates.

While the conference takes place on the sunny south coast over a thousand craftworkers employed at Bristol, Stoke-on-Trent, Newham, Leeds and Babergh and Mid Suffolk councils continue their strike action today. They had also taken industrial action on Monday (6 July) as well as for four days last month.

Workers involved in the dispute are predominantly maintenance and repair staff working in housing maintenance. They have rejected the 2025 local government pay offer to Red Book workers (local government craftworkers) from the national employers of a 3.2 per cent increase, which was imposed without negotiations and does not take into account years of below-inflation pay rises.

They are also taking action over proposed changes to the national agreement, which would have a detrimental effect on their pay and conditions.

The strike action is of a targeted nature and more local authorities could join the dispute in the future.

Last week Unite national officer for construction Jason Poulter said: “As the employers are still treating these skilled workers with contempt by refusing to negotiate, our members have been left with no choice to take further action. They are standing strong in their fight for a better deal on pay and to protect their conditions.

“This dispute can be resolved, but it relies on the LGA and National Employers doing their jobs and coming back to the table for meaningful discussions.”

“Craftworkers deserve better, and Unite will be protesting at the LGA conference to draw attention to the appalling situation they have found themselves in.”

In advance of the LGA’s flagship event in Bournemouth Unite had launched an action calling on supporters to email prominent members of the LGA negotiation team to meet with Unite and its sister unions in order to resolve the dispute.

During the first round of strike action Unite members in Bristol explained why they have been pushed into taking strike action.

Keep an eye on Unite Live for updates. 

By Keith Hatch