Motorway maintenance workers employed by Balfour Beatty are being balloted for strike action over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, have reported.
The 150 workers, who are responsible for the maintenance of the entire M25 motorway, are angry at Balfour Beatty’s pay offer of 3.4%.
With the real rate of inflation, RPI, at 4.9%, this is a real terms pay cut according to the union.
Adding to tensions is the fact that the workers also received a below inflation pay rise last year.
Balfour Beatty’s latest financial report said the company brought in revenues of £4.5 billion during the first half of 2023, with underlying profits increasing by 12% to £95 million.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Balfour Beatty is an immensely profitable company that can afford to put forward an offer that reflects rising living costs. Its M25 workers have Unite’s total backing in demanding a fair pay rise.”
The workers will begin balloting this week and the vote will close on March 12, with industrial action expected soon after.
Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone added: “Balfour Beat
ty can stop this dispute escalating and causing disruption to the smooth running of the M25 by tabling an acceptable offer. It has more than enough profits to do that.”
