Construction union UCATT have begun a consultative ballot of members working at Morrison Facilities Services in Leeds.

UCATT are balloting in excess of 50 members at the company. The company (now owned by Mears) employs over 250 people and undertakes responsive and planned maintenance on over 70 per cent of Leeds council properties.

The dispute concerns potential redundancies and the imposition of changes in contractual pay which could cost some members several thousand pounds per year. There is also growing anger amongst the workforce about the failure of management to enter into proper consultations and the high handed way they have attempted to impose the changes.

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Rob Morris Acting Regional Secretary for UCATT Yorkshire, said: "Workers are furious with the way that they are being treated by Morrison’s management. This is no way to treat a loyal and dedicated workforce."

UCATT members will begin to receive the consultative ballot and the deadline for the ballot to be returned is April 17th. If members strongly support industrial action and the problems are not resolved through negotiation, an industrial action ballot could follow.

UCATT are hopeful that a fresh meeting with Morrison's management scheduled for next week can begin to resolve the problems. The union has also met with Leeds councillors and has a meeting scheduled with senior council officials for April 19th.

Trade unions Unite and GMB are also conducting a consultative ballot of their members at the company.

(CD)