Major contractors are being warned not to use illegal agency workers undercut the HTC Plant crane strike which starts on Friday, 7th November.

The use of agency labour to undermine legal industrial action is prohibited under employment law.

Steve Murphy, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "Any contractor that is contemplating the use of agency drivers to undermine this legitimate dispute should think again, such action will not go unchallenged. I would suggest contractors time and energy would be better spent persuading HTC to enter into meaningful negotiations that reflect the massive boom the industry is experiencing, in order to resolve this dispute."


UCATT crane drivers employed by HTC Plant Ltd have announced three 24 hour strikes on successive Fridays on November 7th, 14th and 21st in a dispute over pay. The 180 plus UCATT members voted, 94% in favour of strike action on a turnout in excess of 80%.

UCATT are also warning that if anyone undertakes crane driving duties without the full training and without being fully familiar with the particular crane, than there are huge safety implications for all workers on that construction site.

(CD/MH)