M25 strike chaos on as Balfour Beatty told to share massive profits
Christian Fernsby ▼ | March 14, 2024
Around 150 M25 maintenance workers employed by Balfour Beatty voted for strike action over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said Wednesday. Article continues below
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The workers, who provide vital maintenance for the entire M25, are angry at Balfour Beatty’s meagre pay offer of 3.4 per cent. With the real rate of inflation, RPI, at 4.9 per cent this is a real terms pay cut. Increasing tensions, is the fact that the workers also received a below inflation pay rise last year.
Today, Balfour Beatty announced that its revenues for 2023 have increased by seven per cent to £9.6 billion, while underlying profits from operations rose by two per cent to £236 million.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Providing these workers with a fair pay rise would not even dent Balfour Beatty's huge profits. Balfour Beatty is hugely profitable - its pay offer is all about greed not need. Unite will be backing our members 100 per cent during the forthcoming strike action.â€
The workers operate from depots based at Barnet, Uxbridge, Swanley, Epping and Dartford and strike action will cause serious disruption to journey times. Dates for industrial action will be announced in the coming days.
Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone said: “The inconvenience and delays caused by strike action to M25 travellers sits squarely at the door of Balfour Beatty. It has had every opportunity to put forward a reasonable offer but has repeatedly refused to do so. Balfour Beatty must swiftly return to talks with Unite and table an acceptable pay deal.†■ What to read next
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