'Pay Scunthorpe scaffolders rate for the job'

Campaigners will stage protests at four Actavo sites across England, Scotland and Ireland to demand that Actavo pays scaffolders the rate for the job.

The scaffolders employed by Actavo at British Steel in Scunthorpe will begin continuous strike action this Wednesday (January 26). The workers are being paid up to 15 per cent below the agreed rate for the job under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI).

Unite is calling on both British Steel and Actavo to enter into tripartite negotiations with Unite.

The union and thousands of supporters are calling on Actavo and British Steel to take responsibility for the ‘mess’ they have created by refusing to apply the national agreement and pay workers the rate for the job.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said, “Supporters across the UK and Ireland are sending a clear message. Pay the Scunthorpe scaffolders the rate for the job.

“British Steel and Actavo need to understand that Unite is standing firm. We will fight tooth and nail to stop the race to the bottom. British Steel and Actavo can’t go on ignoring the issue forever.”

14,000 supporters have signed Unite’s petition calling on Actavo CEO Brian Kelly to respect national agreements and pay his company’s scaffolders the agreed rate for the job.

Unite regional officer Richard Bedford added, “We call on both British Steel and Actavo to join Unite in tripartite discussions. It’s time for all parties to get around the negotiating table so the scaffolders can get back to work.”

The protests will take place from 11.30am to 1.30pm on Monday (January 24) at the following sites:

Actavo – Head Office in Dublin, Westland House, Willow Rd, New Nangor Road, Fox-And-Geese Common, Dublin 12, Co. Dublin, D12 DK12, Ireland

Actavo – Chepstow, 3 Severn Link, Newhouse Farm, Chepstow NP16 6UN

Actavo – Brigg, North Lincolnshire, Island Carr Industrial Estate, Island Carr Rd, Brigg DN20 8PD

Actavo – Livingston, Scotland, Houston Industrial Estate, 6 Muir Rd, Livingston EH54 5DR

The workers are in a long running dispute with their employer Actavo (UK). But Unite says that the client, British Steel, must also take responsibility for this long running dispute. Problems began in 2019, as a result of the scaffolders not being paid in line with the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI). The rates for the workforce are currently between 10-15 per cent (depending on specific roles) below these rates. The workers maintain 500 scaffolding structures at the British Steel site.

By Ciaran Naidoo