Unofficial Strike at Billingham

ATTEMPTS were under way today to bring an end to an unofficial strike which has seen dozens of workers protest outside an industrial site. It is thought the Unite union was due to meet with representatives of a group demonstrating outside Lucite in Billingham, near Stockton-on-Tees. Crowds of around 100 people have been reported at the company’s entrance in recent days in an action which has delayed planned maintenance work. The protest comes after 14 scaffolders and labourers were escorted from the chemical company’s site - triggering a disagreement which saw other workers join the dispute. A source at Hertel, which employs the workers at the Lucite site, said the 'unofficial strike action' had been going on for several days and involved the 'unlawful secondary picketing' of the premises. He claimed many of the demonstrators had no direct connection with the work in question, adding the firm had written to its employees to 'counter false allegations that the dispute is in any way linked to pay or that the men were forcibly removed from the site.'

The source said Hertel had ended a temporary scaffolding contract last week due to a reduction in the planned scope of scaffolding work required at the Cassel Works site. The decision meant that around 14 scaffolders out of a total of workforce of around 160 contractors employed by the company were given a week’s pay in lieu of notice. The company says that is in line with the agreed terms of the temporary contracts. But the workers claim their action comes after they were laid off following a pay review request. Advanced scaffolder Tony Seaman last night told the Gazette he had taken a letter of grievance to management last Wednesday. He said workers were asking for Hertel to set up a meeting with union officials regarding payments for a planned shutdown. The 41-year-old, of Ormesby, claimed workers got £10.46 a hour and wanted £14. They say that is in accordance with NAECI (blue book) rates, but Hertel has said Lucite is not part of that agreement. 'We believe they don’t want to pay the correct rate for the shutdown and for the new build which is going on', Mr Seaman added. 'I can’t describe how we feel.'

Read More Mr Seaman said other workers then joined the action. He added: 'The rest of the site had a meeting on Thursday and came out.' Mr Seaman last night said: 'I would say there are between 100 and 150 out on unofficial strike.' He added his belief the shutdown would not go ahead unless the current situation was resolved. Scaffolder John Beadnall, 52, from Middlesbrough, said at the site’s entrance today: 'I believe management have handled this terribly. It’s grossly unfair.' And Jamie Rowland, 26, a scaffolder from Easterside, added: 'They ought to hold talks immediately.' A Hertel spokesman said the situation all of the 14 were employed as temporary scaffolders and labourers.

'The process was managed in accordance with standard procedures with appropriate notice issued to each of the affected employees,' he added. This is not the right way to resolve a grievance. 'We hope that when people realise that the dispute does not have the backing of the union and that the planned maintenance activity will now be delayed meaning further loss of income for many, those involved will return to work.' The Gazette has seen a copy of a letter from Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, to members stating the union will give no support to the unofficial action. 'If you fail to work normally you will be taking part in unofficial action,' he warns. It is believed that the spokesmen for the parties involved in the dispute were due to meet at time of going to press.