Over 50 crane drivers have rejected a pay offer from HTC Wolffkran

Cranes

Union Unite is warning of 鈥渁 summer of chaos on construction sites鈥� after tower crane drivers rejected a pay offer from the UK鈥檚 largest tower crane operator HTC Wolffkran, part of German crane giant Wolffkran.

Over 50 crane drivers unanimously rejected a 3% pay offer at a meeting this week, the union said.

The union added that it will now carry out a consultative ballot of its entire membership and if no improved pay offer is made expects to begin a full industrial action ballot in early summer.

HTC Wolffkran is currently working on the redevelopment of the BBC TV Centre at White City, Westfield鈥檚 shopping centre in Shepherds Bush, Tottenham Hotspur鈥檚 new stadium and Goldman Sachs鈥� new Farringdon headquarters, the union said.

Unite鈥檚 acting national officer for construction Jerry Swain, said: 鈥淲orkers are demanding an offer based on the company鈥檚 ability to pay. There is no way members will accept an offer which sees their standard of living effectively cut through rising inflation, when HTC鈥檚 coffers are bulging.

鈥淚f the company fail to significantly improve their pay offer then Unite members will not shy away from causing major industrial disruption, with high profile construction sites being targeted.鈥�

HTC Wolffkran was formed after it acquired PC Harrington Group鈥檚 HTC crane division, HTC Plant Ltd, nearly two years ago.

The 拢40m-turnover business comprises a fleet of over 200 Wolff tower cranes and 370 staff. 

 

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