Tradesmen working for Scottish Borders Housing Association could take strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions, according to union Unite.

The organisation has accused the Housing Association of not taking negotiations seriously after holding discussions on pay, equality of working conditions, and working hours.

Around 80 staff are seeking an increase to the implemented 1.1% pay award including harmonisation of holidays and the working week across the Association. Tradesmen currently work 37 hours a week, while some office staff work 35 hours a week and also receive a day's holiday more per year.

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Unite regional officer Tony Trench said: "We finally got the housing association to sit around a negotiating table after trying for two years. We had discussions with the association, and with the conciliation service ACAS. Following that meeting, the association was supposed to get back to ACAS on Monday 3 October. They didn't.

"Our members have been patient, but they won't be patient forever. In a consultative ballot, more than 80 per cent told us they would support industrial action. If the housing association doesn't start serious negotiations soon, we will have no choice but to move to a formal, legal ballot."

(LM)