The first strike days have been confirmed as starting at 6.45am on Friday 16th and ending 6.45am on Tuesday 20th December, an overtime ban will start at the same time, and further strikes are planned between the 20th and 23rd of January. The dispute is primarily over a £1/hour increase on bonuses which other contractors on site have agreed to. The rate for Laing workers hasn't been changed for three years.
The workers include scaffolders, plant operatives, chargehands, concrete finishers plus other craft workers as well as general labourers, they are represented by the T&G and GMB. Laing O'Rourke has offered a 22p an hour increase in the bonus payment.
This dispute follows action by Laing workers at Kings Cross in November 2004 when Laing attempted to impose a new contract on staff working on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and trade union reps were thrown off site.