Taylor Wimpey North East has asked around 50 joiners and scaffolders to sign new contracts on reduced terms after a regular pay audit found that the directly employed workers were earning nearly 25% more than comparable roles, with higher bonuses accounting for most of the difference.
The housebuilder said the review was part of a regular benchmarking exercise. It identified a small number of direct labour roles where current terms and conditions were significantly ahead of comparable rates and required review. The affected workers are based in the North East.
Unite regional officer Greg Robson said Taylor Wimpey had serious questions to answer about how it had treated the workers. He said the union would continue to support affected members throughout the process and would keep pressing the company for information to which the union is entitled.
Robson added that Unite was looking at all avenues to fight the changes, including industrial action. The union’s criticism centres on the company’s decision to seek reduced terms from staff whose pay was found to be above comparable rates.
Taylor Wimpey said the consultation process had been concluded fairly and openly and that it had consulted ACAS. A grievance has been raised in line with the Construction Joint Industry Council Working Rule Agreement.
The company said it was committed to engaging fully with employees before a final resolution is reached. It said a number of potential outcomes were still being considered and that it was committed to ensuring all employees are treated fairly and consistently across the business and throughout the process.
The dispute concerns pay relativities for directly employed trades. The audit found that the higher earnings were mainly made up of higher bonuses. The workers have been asked to accept reduced terms, a move that Unite has criticised. The exact new rates and bonus levels were not set out in the company’s statement.
No final outcome has been reached. Taylor Wimpey’s statement leaves open the possibility of further discussion, while Unite has not ruled out industrial action. The grievance process under the industry agreement is now part of the next stage, and the company says engagement with employees will continue before any final resolution.
The company’s account and the union’s response leave the dispute unresolved. Taylor Wimpey has not said the reduced terms have been imposed; it says consultation has concluded and a grievance is being handled under the industry agreement. Unite, meanwhile, says it is prepared to consider industrial action.