HTC Wolffkran has said it is "disappointed" that union Unite is balloting crane drivers over taking potential strike action due to an ongoing pay dispute.

Talks between the two organisations broke down in May after HTC failed to agree to a 10% pay increase for crane operators, offering instead a 3% rise and a commitment to move to the standard industry number of holidays.

However, Wolffkran added it's most recent offer would mean its 260 drivers received pay increases totalling 19.8% over the last five year.

Dave Holder, HTC Wolffkran’s director general manager, said: "Despite the economic uncertainties of recent years, we have enjoyed high utilisation and rental rates, which have allowed us to perform well.

"This performance has been reflected in the level of remuneration we have passed on to our tower crane operators, whose pay has increased by an average of £7,689.22 since 2013.

"At the same time, agreed pay awards have also led to a decrease in the average number of hours worked per week."

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He added: "Industry commentators have said that our pay award for 2017/18 is not just the best in the tower crane rental sector, but one of the best in UK industry this year.

"Therefore, to have it rejected, and be informed by Unite that its members want a 10 per cent increase is both disappointing and more than a little surprising."

However, Unite's national officer for construction, Jerry Swain, said the company is "unnecessarily increasing tensions" between the two organisations.

"In order to make real progress HTC Wolffkran need to have a better understanding of how industrial negotiations operate," he said.

"Our pay claim is based on what we believe the company could and should pay. However we fully understand that to reach an agreement all sides have to find common ground which can only be achieved through talks. By breaking off negotiations and then imposing a pay increase without agreement HTC Wolffkran has either by accident or design created this dispute.

"It is disingenuous to claim workers have received substantial pay rises in recent years when in reality the company was simply returning money that they had cut from workers' pay.

"HTC Wolffkran is correct to claim that some crane drivers earn £60,000, however they fail to mention how many hours a week a crane driver would have to work in order to make that kind of money.

"Also the company doesn't address the physical and mental demands placed on a worker operating in a highly stressful and safety critical environment for such a long period.

"As previously stated Unite remains committed to seeking a negotiated settlement and are firmly of the belief that if HTC Wolffkran is prepared to sit down and enter into meaningful talks, strikes can be avoided."

The ballot for strike action will close on Friday, 04 August.

(LM/MH)