Construction union UCATT, are preparing to ballot their 24,000 local government workers over a dispute concerning pay and conditions.

The craft workers: carpenters, painters, bricklayers, labourers etc, are employed under the Red Book agreement. The majority of the members work in local government direct labour organisations but workers governed by the "Red Book" in housing associations and ALMO's will also be balloted.

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Local government employers have made a 2.45% pay offer.

According to UCATT: "To add insult to injury the employers are taking a heavy handed approach to future pay offers and are insisting on strings being attached to these discussions, which threaten the future of the entire agreement."

Ballot papers will begin being sent to members on 18 August and are to be returned by 1 September. If members opt for strike action, this is likely to be held proceeding Labour Party Conference, in late September.

Alan Ritchie General Secretary of UCATT, said: "With the cost of food and fuel going through the roof, this derisory offer is a kick in the teeth for our highly dedicated members. To then try to attach further strings to the pittance being offered is a total insult."

(CD/JM)