Supporters of the Scunthorpe scaffolders in their pay dispute are planning to stage protests at key locations around the country, as the workers enter their third month of striking.
The scaffolders are employed by Actavo to look after 500 scaffolding structures at the British Steel site, and have been taking industrial action since 4 October 2021 due to being paid up to 15% below the agreed rate for the job under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI), according to Unite.
Union activists are planning to stage protests at Actavo sites in Chepstow, Brigg and Livingston as well as at Actavo’s head office in Dublin.
''We will fight tooth and nail to stop the race to the bottom. ''
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham commented: “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."
''It's time for all parties to get around the negotiating table so the scaffolders can get back to work.”
Richard Bedford, Unite regional officer
Unite regional officer Richard Bedford said: “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.”
Actavo has previously stated that the rates were agreed by Unite on a ''localised collective bargaining basis," with the hourly rate currently being paid to the scaffolders being ''broadly on a par with the national average for scaffolding works in the steel-making sector."
