UNITE reports that around 1,000 local government craftworkers carrying out housing maintenance and repair work for local authorities across the UK have been on strike this month in a dispute over pay and attacks on their working conditions.

The workers have had enough. After more than a decade of pay freezes and below-inflation wage increases, their employer has offered only a 3.2 per cent pay rise. The dispute is further aggravated by a series of attacks on the national collective agreement, including the removal of apprentices from its coverage and the introduction of job evaluation measures. Such actions undermine workers' earnings and continue to erode their living standards.

In solidarity with the striking workers, BWI sent a message of support. BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson said: “We cannot accept an employer treating dedicated craftworkers with contempt and refusing to negotiate. The attacks on their national agreement, which are designed to make them even poorer, are completely unacceptable. A realistic proposal must be put forward.”

UNITE continues to call for a review of local government pay and for the full protection of the existing national agreement. However, local government employers have so far refused to enter into meaningful negotiations.