W
orkers at a Ministry of Defence missile depot have voted to escalate strike motion in a dispute over pay.
GMB Scotland members on the munitions advanced in Beith, North Ayrshire , which provides missiles to Ukraine, will stroll out for 2 weeks from August 21.
The union warned the strike on the advanced, which is run by Defence, Equipment & Support , will disrupt shipments.
However the Ministry of Defence stated the walkout may have “no effect on our ability to provide capability to Ukraine”.
Our members are doing necessary and accountable jobs and easily need that work to be pretty recognised
The forthcoming motion comes after 4 days of focused strikes in latest weeks did not safe a decision.
The union claims a “two-tier culture” has developed on the depot and stated the pay hole between craft staff who assemble the munitions and non-craft colleagues, who assist their work and put together gear for transport, has tripled to £18,000.
According to the union, additional funds and bonuses have been made to managers and craft staff lately however to not non-craft colleagues incomes lower than £21,000 a yr.
GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour stated: “A two-tier culture has been allowed to embed itself in this workplace and risks good working relationships now and in the future.
“Our members are doing important and responsible jobs and simply want that work to be fairly recognised. Instead, they have seen the gap between their salaries and that of their colleagues stretch wider and wider.
“Everyone brings different skills to their work and that should be recognised, but the role of our members is fundamental to the effective operation of this important site.
“They are only asking for fairness and the support they have received, from Scotland to Ukraine, shows why they deserve it.”
Various MPs have written to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace urging him to intervene and safe decision to the dispute, whereas Lesia Vasylenko, a Ukrainian MP, has urged managers to rapidly negotiate an finish to the row.
She stated: “The work being done by GMB Scotland members at Beith could not be more important to Ukraine as we fight for our freedom.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesman stated: “These strikes will have no effect on our ability to provide capability to Ukraine.
“Pre-planned contingency measures are being implemented at Defence Munitions (DM) Beith to ensure the continued safe and compliant operation of the site.
“We remain open to dialogue with GMB to discuss the issues raised and work towards resolving them.”
