150 M25 maintenance workers, including those based at a depot in Barnet, have voted to strike after receiving a below inflation pay offer reports David Floyd

A sign post on the M25 alongside several cars driving on the motorway — London Orbital Motorway, M25 Clockwise, near to Cranham by David Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0– via Wikimedia Commons

Barnet maintenance workers have voted for strike action against employ Balfour Beatty after a pay that their union described as “all about greed not need”.

Around 150 workers employed by the company to carry out maintenance work on the M25, based at depots Barnet, Uxbridge, Swanley, Epping and Dartford have voted to reject a 3.4% pay offer. Citing RPI inflation at 4.9%, their union Unite says this represents a real terms pay cut.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Providing these workers with a fair pay rise would not even dent Balfour Beatty huge profits. Balfour Beatty is hugely profitable – its pay offer is all about greed not need. Unite will be backing our members 100 per cent during the forthcoming strike action.”

The union says the action will cause serious disruption to journeys and dates will be announced in the coming days.

Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone said: “The inconvenience and delays caused by strike action to M25 travellers sits squarely at the door of Balfour Beatty. It has had every opportunity to put forward a reasonable offer but has repeatedly refused to do so. Balfour Beatty must swiftly return to talks with Unite and table an acceptable pay deal.”

Responding to the strike announcement, a spokesperson for Balfour Beatty told Barnet Post:“We are disappointed by Unite the Union’s decision to proceed with strike action. 

They added: “We remain committed to working with them to reach an appropriate outcome, and would like to reassure travellers that suitable contingency plans are in place to minimise any potential disruption.”

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