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Furious – Unite Wolffkran crane workers on strike CRANE DRIVERS IN PAY STRIKE
Tower cranes across the UK ground to a halt this winter as crane operators took strike action over pay and conditions, writes Keith Hatch.
The strikes by workers from Wolffkran, one of the world’s largest rental companies of tower cranes, saw construction work at UK building sites stop on days in January, February and March as no resolution to date has yet been reached.
Nearly 100 tower crane operators at Wolffkran are taking strike action after not receiving a pay rise in three years. Unite members at Wolffkran are furious that the company is now also seeking to cut some of their additional benefits including standby payments.
Tower cranes are vitally important on major building projects. Some of the biggest construction sites in the UK, including the Grenfell Tower deconstruction, the Cambridge Science Park and the new headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts in Berkshire, saw work halted when the Wolffkran crane operators walked out in February.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “It is completely unacceptable that highly skilled and vital construction workers have not seen their pay increase in three years. To add insult to injury Wolffkran is now attacking workers’ conditions.
“Unite is the UK’s principal construction union and we will be backing our members one hundred per cent in their dispute. They deserve a fair day’s pay.”
Tower crane operators took their first day of strike action on January 27, with further actions held in February and March and ongoing strike action planned by members based on what will cause the most disruption.
Unite regional officer Vince McCoy added, “These workers are doing a difficult, dangerous and highly stressful role.
“Without a pay rise for over three years and facing the threat of worse terms, they have reached the end of their patience and are now taking strike action.
We urge Wolffkran to come back with a much improved offer.”
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