Stoke on Trent council housing residents will face repair and maintenance delays due to industrial action if a dispute over annual leave is not swiftly resolved.

Currently, Stoke council office workers receive two days annual leave more than craftworkers at the local authority.

In a consultative ballot of over 225 craftworkers, who include joiners, plumbers and electricians, 99 per cent voted in favour of taking industrial action over the disparity.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is totally unacceptable that these workers receive less holiday than their colleagues. This can be easily rectified by the council. These workers will receive Unite total support until it is.”

Unite will begin formal industrial action proceedings if the council does not provide annual leave parity in a timely manner.

Unite regional officer Asif Mohammed said: “Our members are increasingly angry at the dismissive and anti-union attitude of their department leaders.

“These workers are out year-round in all weathers and will experience multiple physical injuries over the course of their working lives. It is a slap in the face for the council to turn round and say they deserve less holiday.”

ENDS

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065.

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.