One of the UK's largest trade unions are to boycott a top Scottish construction awards ceremony, following the news that 'rogue' employers are to slash pay by 30 per cent

Unite said it would be boycotting the Select Electro Technical Awards this week because seven leading construction companies are trying to enforce cuts to pay and conditions later this year.

The seven employers, including a winner at last year's event, Crown House Technologies, want to tear up five national agreements that have been in force in Scotland for the last 40 years.

Unite regional officer, Rab Sherry stated in a letter to the organisers of Select Electro Technical Awards that Unite would not be attending this year's ceremony when those companies intent on imposing the changes would also be present and that the union's attendance would therefore "send out the wrong messages" to its members.

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The actions of the employers have sparked demonstrations from construction workers across the UK, as thousands of skilled employees face dismissal from 7 December, unless they sign new contracts, described by critics as 'draconian', that could see their pay slashed by up to 30 per cent.

Balfour Beatty, Crown House Technologies, Spie Matthew Hall, Shepherd Engineering Services and NG Bailey have issued Unite with legal notice of their intention to dismiss, with notice, thousands of employees before re-engaging them on new inferior contracts.

The employers want to introduce semi-skilled grades which would result in detrimental changes in pay, holiday entitlement, overtime, and what constitutes away work.

Unite regional officer, Scott Foley, said: "The construction industry in Scotland is a major engine for economic recovery, yet these rogue employers want to sabotage long-established agreements in the industry.

"This could mean that thousands of skilled construction workers from the Shetlands to the Borders losing their jobs, unless they accept these new draconian contracts that could see their pay packets slashed by up to 30 per cent.

"We know that important clients of these companies are very unhappy about this course of action as they see this as a recipe for on-going industrial unrest - a situation that Unite wishes to avoid, but not at the expense of our members' income.

"As a sign of our disgust at these rogue employers attending this award ceremony, Unite will boycott the event."

Workers from the construction industry will hold a protest demonstration outside the Radisson Blu Hotel in Agyle Street on 7th October at 6pm, an hour before the event commences.

(JG/CD)