Published at 11:07, Thursday, 05 April 2012

SIXTEEN road workers, caught in a dispute between Cumbria County Council and two private contractors, have been told their jobs are safe.

The men based at Lillyhall and Skirsgill, near Penrith, carry out surfacing work. They were employed by Amey whose contract with the council ended on March 31.

The council expected the men to move to the new contractor, Hanson, with pay and conditions protected under European transfer of undertakings (Tupe) legislation.

But Hanson initially said it did not want them. Now, following pressure from the council, the firm will take them on.

Hanson spokesman David Weeks said: “We have agreed to take the 16 employees.”

He added that the company hoped the council would ensure there was enough work to keep the men occupied.

The 11th-hour deal has been greeted with relief by GMB, Ucatt and Unison, the unions representing the men. Deborah Hamilton, Unison branch secretary at the county council, said: “It has been a really difficult past few weeks for our members.

“We are happy the matter has been resolved and look forward to meaningful negotiations with Hanson.”

County council leader Eddie Martin had called on Hanson to take on the men or pull out of the contract.

Penrith and the Border Conservative MP Rory Stewart also took up their case.

Councillor Tony Markley, the Cabinet member responsible for roads, welcomed Hanson’s change of heart.

Another 277 Amey staff transferred to Cumbria County Council on April 1 when Amey’s seven-year roads maintenance contract with the council ends.

Coun Markley added: “Initially the council’s focus will be on ensuring the transfer of all the Amey staff.

“Then we can concentrate on improving the delivery of our highways services through our new in-house team, bolstered by our contractors.”

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk