Over 180 members of construction union UCATT working for HTC Plant have been sent out ballot papers over a pay dispute.

The crane drivers are angry that the company is not prepared to restore pay in real terms to the levels they were at before the 2008 recession.

This could lead to construction sites across Britain coming to a standstill if the crane drivers vote for strike action.

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Since 2008 crane drivers at HTC have had several, pay freezes and also had many of their allowances cut. Despite entering into negotiations with the company, HTC has declined to table an offer which meets UCATT member’s expectations.

The drivers are being balloted on whether they would support strike action and industrial action short of strike action.

Major contractors who would be affected by the industrial action include: Kier, Lend Lease, Bam, Costain, Mace and Vinci.

Steve Murphy, General Secretary of construction union UCATT, said: "Crane drivers are fed up. They have endured years of pay cuts and seen their pay fall in real terms. The industry is booming but their employers are not prepared to pay up."

The ballot closes on Monday 27th October 2014.

(CD/MH)