TEESSIDE SCAFFOLDER
Well-known member
Lucite International workers walk out in row over pay
Lucite International workers walk out in row over pay
by Andy Passant, Evening GazetteOct 4
ATTEMPTS were under way today to bring an end to an unofficial strike which has seen dozens of workers protest outside an industrial site.
It is thought the Unite union was due to meet with representatives of a group demonstrating outside Lucite in Billingham.
Crowds of around 100 people have been reported at the company’s entrance in recent days in an action which has delayed planned maintenance work.
The protest comes after 14 scaffolders and labourers were escorted from the chemical company’s site - triggering a disagreement which saw other workers join the dispute.
A source at Hertel, which employs the workers at the Lucite site, said the “unofficial strike action” had been going on for several days and involved the “unlawful secondary picketing” of the premises.
He claimed many of the demonstrators had no direct connection with the work in question, adding the firm had written to its employees to “counter false allegations that the dispute is in any way linked to pay or that the men were forcibly removed from the site.”
The source said Hertel had ended a temporary scaffolding contract last week due to a reduction in the planned scope of scaffolding work required at the Cassel Works site. The decision meant that around 14 scaffolders out of a total of workforce of around 160 contractors employed by the company were given a week’s pay in lieu of notice.
The company says that is in line with the agreed terms of the temporary contracts.
But the workers claim their action comes after they were laid off following a pay review request.
Advanced scaffolder Tony Seaman last night told the Gazette he had taken a letter of grievance to management last Wednesday.
He said workers were asking for Hertel to set up a meeting with union officials regarding payments for a planned shutdown.
The 41-year-old, of Ormesby, claimed workers got £10.46 a hour and wanted £14.
They say that is in accordance with NAECI (blue book) rates, but Hertel has said Lucite is not part of that agreement.
“We believe they don’t want to pay the correct rate for the shutdown and for the new build which is going on,” Mr Seaman added. “I can’t describe how we feel.”
Mr Seaman said other workers then joined the action.
He added: “The rest of the site had a meeting on Thursday and came out.”
Mr Seaman last night said: “I would say there are between 100 and 150 out on unofficial strike.”
He added his belief the shutdown would not go ahead unless the current situation was resolved.
Scaffolder John Beadnall, 52, from Middlesbrough, said at the site’s entrance today: “I believe management have handled this terribly. It’s grossly unfair.”
And Jamie Rowland, 26, a scaffolder from Easterside, added: “They ought to hold talks immediately.”
A Hertel spokesman said the situation all of the 14 were employed as temporary scaffolders and labourers.
“The process was managed in accordance with standard procedures with appropriate notice issued to each of the affected employees,” he added.
“This is not the right way to resolve a grievance.
“We hope that when people realise that the dispute does not have the backing of the union and that the planned maintenance activity will now be delayed meaning further loss of income for many, those involved will return to work.”
The Gazette has seen a copy of a letter from Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, to members stating the union will give no support to the unofficial action.
“If you fail to work normally you will be taking part in unofficial action,” he warns.
It is believed that the spokesmen for the parties involved in the dispute were due to meet at time of going to press.
normal 11:17 AM on October 4, 2011
when will we learn that Strike Action never resolves anything, look back over the years from the steelworkers to the Miners and beyond and look at those industries now.
craigo 3:27 PM on October 4, 2011
only been on strike once and won after five weeks standing on the gate,,you guess they should just shrug there shoulders and walk away like these companys want,stand up and be counted they will get what they want if they stick at it,keep up the good work lads,
oggy 11:48 AM on October 4, 2011
So they get "only" £10.46 an hour. Plenty of people currently unemployed would jump at the chance of a job, so to demand £14 an hour is just greedy.
1 replies1 reply 1 replies1 reply Please wait while we perform your request.
craigo
3:23 PM on October 4, 2011
you probably work in macdonalds ! these men are tradesmen and want what they deserve 10,46 is a disgrace its 2011!! should be on 15quid min,
dramaqueen
12:49 PM on October 4, 2011
In normal circumstances the rate is decided before you start the work, did this not happen here?
Jan55 1:08 PM on October 4, 2011
Some people aren't very good at telling the exact truth. With the additional bonuses, etc, they were receiving £15 per hour! As contractors, if the work ends, so does the contract .... that's the way its always been.
vespasien 1:10 PM on October 4, 2011
Being ex hertel, they have been paying under the odds for years, paying pink book and maintainance terms on blue book sites this was going on in the 90s when i was there. The workers areonly asking what they are entitled to and are codemmed as troublemakers and will no doubt be black listed by the firm.
The bigger picture is that they want to drive down costs and destroy trades so they can employ anyone they want for monkey nuts,withuut these guys making a stand it will spread to other firms and be the end of trades as we know it.
They tried it with dilultey laggers in late eighties/early nineties nearly destroyed the trade singlhandedly and ended many mens lively hood without the stand made by others this would have come to pass. They did the same empolying foriegn labour on Wilton for far less money and without the requred skill to match the proper time served tradesmen.
Good luck lads and keep making a stand.
Poumista
1:26 PM on October 4, 2011
I'm sure Hertel would rather be paying them £1 an hour rather than £10 or £14, for the benefit of their managers and shareholders. It's only by collective bargaining that we're not all working in dungeons for pittance, which is what the greedy bosses (and Tories) would like to happen. Well done to these workers for taking a stand. The trade union bureaucrats who've refused to back the strike should be ashamed.
johnnyb
1:38 PM on October 4, 2011
just like to clarify a few things,yes we knew what the starting pay was but assumed it would go up during the shutdown,why should we work alongside other trades who are on £14 a hour while we get £10? with the bonus that goes to £12.50 not £15 which was quoted by someone on here,it's not being greedy,we don't want anymore money than the next man,just the same,we're tradesmen and want the blue book rate on a shutdown,same as what the other trades on teesside get! NOT MORE,THE SAME!
Poumista 1:43 PM on October 4, 2011
Good for you mate and all the best. Stick to your guns!
newswatch 2:44 PM on October 4, 2011
"Lucite International workers walk out in row over pay" is the headline but is this correct. The strikers are contractors and the dispute is about Hertel reducing their numbers on site. I assume that Lucite is still in production and cannot carry out the maintenance shut down until the contractors resolve the issues with their workforce.
I doubt anybody will win in the end.
Read More Lucite International workers walk out in row over pay - Local News - News - Gazette Live
Lucite International workers walk out in row over pay
by Andy Passant, Evening GazetteOct 4
ATTEMPTS were under way today to bring an end to an unofficial strike which has seen dozens of workers protest outside an industrial site.
It is thought the Unite union was due to meet with representatives of a group demonstrating outside Lucite in Billingham.
Crowds of around 100 people have been reported at the company’s entrance in recent days in an action which has delayed planned maintenance work.
The protest comes after 14 scaffolders and labourers were escorted from the chemical company’s site - triggering a disagreement which saw other workers join the dispute.
A source at Hertel, which employs the workers at the Lucite site, said the “unofficial strike action” had been going on for several days and involved the “unlawful secondary picketing” of the premises.
He claimed many of the demonstrators had no direct connection with the work in question, adding the firm had written to its employees to “counter false allegations that the dispute is in any way linked to pay or that the men were forcibly removed from the site.”
The source said Hertel had ended a temporary scaffolding contract last week due to a reduction in the planned scope of scaffolding work required at the Cassel Works site. The decision meant that around 14 scaffolders out of a total of workforce of around 160 contractors employed by the company were given a week’s pay in lieu of notice.
The company says that is in line with the agreed terms of the temporary contracts.
But the workers claim their action comes after they were laid off following a pay review request.
Advanced scaffolder Tony Seaman last night told the Gazette he had taken a letter of grievance to management last Wednesday.
He said workers were asking for Hertel to set up a meeting with union officials regarding payments for a planned shutdown.
The 41-year-old, of Ormesby, claimed workers got £10.46 a hour and wanted £14.
They say that is in accordance with NAECI (blue book) rates, but Hertel has said Lucite is not part of that agreement.
“We believe they don’t want to pay the correct rate for the shutdown and for the new build which is going on,” Mr Seaman added. “I can’t describe how we feel.”
Mr Seaman said other workers then joined the action.
He added: “The rest of the site had a meeting on Thursday and came out.”
Mr Seaman last night said: “I would say there are between 100 and 150 out on unofficial strike.”
He added his belief the shutdown would not go ahead unless the current situation was resolved.
Scaffolder John Beadnall, 52, from Middlesbrough, said at the site’s entrance today: “I believe management have handled this terribly. It’s grossly unfair.”
And Jamie Rowland, 26, a scaffolder from Easterside, added: “They ought to hold talks immediately.”
A Hertel spokesman said the situation all of the 14 were employed as temporary scaffolders and labourers.
“The process was managed in accordance with standard procedures with appropriate notice issued to each of the affected employees,” he added.
“This is not the right way to resolve a grievance.
“We hope that when people realise that the dispute does not have the backing of the union and that the planned maintenance activity will now be delayed meaning further loss of income for many, those involved will return to work.”
The Gazette has seen a copy of a letter from Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, to members stating the union will give no support to the unofficial action.
“If you fail to work normally you will be taking part in unofficial action,” he warns.
It is believed that the spokesmen for the parties involved in the dispute were due to meet at time of going to press.
normal 11:17 AM on October 4, 2011
when will we learn that Strike Action never resolves anything, look back over the years from the steelworkers to the Miners and beyond and look at those industries now.
craigo 3:27 PM on October 4, 2011
only been on strike once and won after five weeks standing on the gate,,you guess they should just shrug there shoulders and walk away like these companys want,stand up and be counted they will get what they want if they stick at it,keep up the good work lads,
oggy 11:48 AM on October 4, 2011
So they get "only" £10.46 an hour. Plenty of people currently unemployed would jump at the chance of a job, so to demand £14 an hour is just greedy.
1 replies1 reply 1 replies1 reply Please wait while we perform your request.
craigo
3:23 PM on October 4, 2011
you probably work in macdonalds ! these men are tradesmen and want what they deserve 10,46 is a disgrace its 2011!! should be on 15quid min,
dramaqueen
12:49 PM on October 4, 2011
In normal circumstances the rate is decided before you start the work, did this not happen here?
Jan55 1:08 PM on October 4, 2011
Some people aren't very good at telling the exact truth. With the additional bonuses, etc, they were receiving £15 per hour! As contractors, if the work ends, so does the contract .... that's the way its always been.
vespasien 1:10 PM on October 4, 2011
Being ex hertel, they have been paying under the odds for years, paying pink book and maintainance terms on blue book sites this was going on in the 90s when i was there. The workers areonly asking what they are entitled to and are codemmed as troublemakers and will no doubt be black listed by the firm.
The bigger picture is that they want to drive down costs and destroy trades so they can employ anyone they want for monkey nuts,withuut these guys making a stand it will spread to other firms and be the end of trades as we know it.
They tried it with dilultey laggers in late eighties/early nineties nearly destroyed the trade singlhandedly and ended many mens lively hood without the stand made by others this would have come to pass. They did the same empolying foriegn labour on Wilton for far less money and without the requred skill to match the proper time served tradesmen.
Good luck lads and keep making a stand.
Poumista
1:26 PM on October 4, 2011
I'm sure Hertel would rather be paying them £1 an hour rather than £10 or £14, for the benefit of their managers and shareholders. It's only by collective bargaining that we're not all working in dungeons for pittance, which is what the greedy bosses (and Tories) would like to happen. Well done to these workers for taking a stand. The trade union bureaucrats who've refused to back the strike should be ashamed.
johnnyb
1:38 PM on October 4, 2011
just like to clarify a few things,yes we knew what the starting pay was but assumed it would go up during the shutdown,why should we work alongside other trades who are on £14 a hour while we get £10? with the bonus that goes to £12.50 not £15 which was quoted by someone on here,it's not being greedy,we don't want anymore money than the next man,just the same,we're tradesmen and want the blue book rate on a shutdown,same as what the other trades on teesside get! NOT MORE,THE SAME!
Poumista 1:43 PM on October 4, 2011
Good for you mate and all the best. Stick to your guns!
newswatch 2:44 PM on October 4, 2011
"Lucite International workers walk out in row over pay" is the headline but is this correct. The strikers are contractors and the dispute is about Hertel reducing their numbers on site. I assume that Lucite is still in production and cannot carry out the maintenance shut down until the contractors resolve the issues with their workforce.
I doubt anybody will win in the end.
Read More Lucite International workers walk out in row over pay - Local News - News - Gazette Live
