Construction union UCATT have begun balloting members for industrial action at Morrison Facilities Services in Leeds, due to the company's failure to enter into meaningful negotiations over proposed cuts in pay, conditions and redundancies.

UCATT alongside GMB and Unite have been attempting to enter into meaningful negotiations with the company since March, without success. The dispute concerns proposed severe cuts in workers take home pay, changes in terms and conditions including pensions and a failure to consult on redundancies and jobs at risk.

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Ballot papers were sent to UCATT members yesterday (1 July) and the ballot will close on 15 July.

Morrison Facilities Services, now owned by Mears, is responsible for undertaking responsive and planned maintenance on 70% of council properties in Leeds. There are in the region of 300 employees at the company.

Rob Morris, Regional Secretary for UCATT Yorkshire, said: "The company has failed to enter into meaningful negotiations, leaving the unions no option but to seek a ballot for industrial action."

Morrison wants to dramatically cut existing pay arrangements, which could see some workers having their wages reduced by up to 40%.

(CD/JP)