Unite members at Burntisland Fabrications continue all
out strike over pay parity
8 October 2008
Unite members based at Burntisland Steel Fabricators in Fife
will continue all out strike action over the company’s failure to
match the industry standard rate set out in the NAECI
agreement.
Unite and GMB members working at the site are in their fifth
week of strike action.
Burntisland Fabrications produces fabrications for the offshore
oil and gas industry and renewable energy such as wind
turbines.
The two unions agreed a recognition deal with the company last
year and as a result of that the member’s expectations are now to
be paid the appropriate rates of pay. Rab Sherry, Unite Regional
Official says; "After the unions achieved recognition at the site
our member’s aspirations were raised and they thought they were
looking at terms and conditions that would match the rest of the
oil companies across the country.
"Research shows that unionised workplaces usually enjoy wages of
about 10 percent more than nonunionised workplaces. However the
workforce at Burntisland is actually on 10 percent less than the
national agreement."
Subcontractors working at the site have been out on unofficial
strike, refusing to cross the picket line in support for the
workforce. Construction sites in Scotland including Grangemouth
have also been collecting money to send to the members who are on
strike.
-Ends-
For further information contact:
Jody Whitehill, Unite Press Officer on 020 7420 8938 or 07768
693956
