Scaffolders strike set to hit Eggborough power station

Eggborough, the coal-fired power station in North Yorkshire, is set to be hit with a strike by scaffolding workers.

The workers from Cape Industrial Services who are members of Unite, have voted 100% in favour of industrial action, according to the union, over a pay dispute.

Unite is predicting “widespread disruption” when the Cape workers strike on 17 August, with a further 48-hour strike on 21 August.

The workers will then begin continuous strike action from Tuesday 29 August. An overtime ban will also begin from Wednesday 16 August.

Unite says that local agreements stipulated that the scaffolders should be earning a higher rate when the power stations are undergoing maintenance work, which is undertaken at Eggborough from April to September.

To further complicate matters, it said, workers employed by other contractors on the power station are paid the full rate for the entire 12 month period.

Unite regional officer Chris Weldon, said: “It is highly disappointing that Cape has so far refused to enter into serious negotiations to resolve this dispute. Our members simply want Cape to create a level playing field and pay our scaffolding members on the same basis as other workers on the site.

“If the proposed strikes take place then everyone involved at Eggborough power station should brace themselves for widespread disruption.

“Our members are taking industrial action as a last resort. This dispute could be easily avoided, if Cape accepts our members are currently underpaid and introduces measures to resolve this matter.”

A spokesperson for Eggborough told TheBusinessDesk.com: “The matter is between Cape and their employees and we are not in a position to comment further at this time.”