CBL Cable Contractors in pay and conditions dispute
Unite, Scotland’s leading trade union, confirmed today (Thursday
21 December) that over 30 members contracted to work on
the new type 26 Frigate on the Clyde are set for strike
action in the new year.
The Unite members involved in the pay dispute are employed by CBL
Cable Contractors Limited based at the BAE Systems Govan and
Scotstoun shipyards on the Clyde. The workers include
electricians, labourers and cable hands.
The strike action will occur over multiple days starting
on 10 January and ending 27 March 2024 (see
notes to editor). In November, the CBL Cable workers indicated
their anger over the pay dispute by emphatically backing strike
action by 100 per cent on an 88 per cent turnout.
The contractors are demanding to be paid the BAE Systems yard
rate, or an additional £1 per hour on top of the current rates of
pay. The dispute also involves travel related payments which
Unite’s members are due as the Clyde shipyards falls under the
scope of the Joint Industry Board Agreement.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The CBL Cable
workers are fully entitled to equal treatment at the Govan and
Scotstoun yards. The company should stop paying lip service to
the national agreement and immediately start paying the
rate.
“Our members have their union’s full support in the fight for
better jobs, pay and conditions.”
The Joint Industry Board Agreement sets the standards for
employment, grading and apprentice training in the electrical
contracting industry. This includes travel time and the use
of a personal vehicle to travel to work which entitles workers to
a mileage allowance.
The UK Ministry of Defence awarded a £4.2bn contract to BAE
Systems in November 2022 to manufacture the next five City Class
Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy in Glasgow. The contract is
estimated to sustain more than 4,000 jobs across BAE Systems and
the wider UK maritime supply chain.
Stevie Dillon, Unite regional coordinator, added: “CBL Cable
workers are fully prepared to go on strike to get the ‘shipyard
rate’. They shouldn’t need to go on strike to get what they are
owed, but make no mistake, they are fully prepared to fight for
what they should be automatically getting.
“We would urge CBL Cable Contractors and BAE Systems to get back
round the table to resolve this dispute before it further
escalates.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The strikes dates are: 10,17, 22, 24, 29 and 31 January. 5,
7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 and 28 February. 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20,
25, 27 March. All strikes are between 07:00 –
17:00.
