Plans by rogue construction firms could see the pay of thousands of skilled workers slashed by up to a third, Unite the union has warned.

Unite has called on eight break-away construction companies, who are imposing semi-skilled grades into the mechanical and electrical sector, to 'pull back from the brink' before industrial relations deteriorates to harmful levels.

Bernard McAulay, national officer for construction said: "These rogue employers should pull back from the brink as their attack on workers’ skills, pay and terms and conditions is causing widespread anger among workers.

"Employers will be getting jobs done for 35 per cent less money by using semi-skilled workers. This means big profits for directors and shareholders, and a huge pay cut for workers."

Workers in five of the eight break-away companies have been written to by their managers with a stark choice - sign new contracts on much worse pay and terms and conditions or face the sack on December 7.

The employers want to withdraw from five long-held agreements and replace them with a new agreement which will allow employers to introduce semi-skilled grades; dictate rather than negotiate on pay, holiday entitlement, overtime, and what constitutes away work.

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Unite has told employers that these bullying tactics will lead to a sharp deterioration in industrial relations on major sites up and down the country, putting into jeopardy the ability of companies to deliver projects on time and within budget.

"These employers would be wise to remember history. This attack on the skills base of M&E workers is not the first. Employers tried it in the late nineties which led to massive industrial unrest.

"Projects like the Jubilee Line and Royal Opera House ended up going way over time and budget as a result of the anger displayed by workers at the time. Is this sensible industrial relations?," added Mr McAulay.

The union is calling for meaningful negotiations with the break-away eight. Unite has had informal talks with a few of the eight who are uncomfortable with these hard-line tactics.

But five of the eight have upped the stakes. Balfour Beatty, Crown House Technologies, Spie Matthew Hall, Shepherd Engineering Services and NG Bailey have issued Unite with legal notice of their intention to dismiss, with notice, thousands of employees before re-engaging them on new inferior contracts.

The union accepts that the industry has changed and is prepared to talk about updating the agreements. The union wants this to be achieved within the 50-50 partnership arrangements which has provided workers with a proper voice in the industry and has led to industrial peace for over 30 years.

Unite believes the bullying tactics that these companies are using is causing levels of anger among workers not seen in many years. Thousands of union members have attended protests and mass meetings in sites all over the country, with more protests being organised.

(CD/GK)