M25 drivers are set for "serious disruption" as around 150 maintenance workers employed by Balfour Beatty have voted for strike action over pay, Unite said today.

The workers' move to vote for strike action is over Balfour Beatty’s pay offer of 3.4 per cent. The leading union says, with the real rate of inflation, RPI, at 4.9 per cent this is a real terms pay cut. 

Today, Balfour Beatty announced that its revenues for 2023 have increased by seven per cent to £9.6 billion, while underlying profits from operations rose by two per cent to £236 million.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Providing these workers with a fair pay rise would not even dent Balfour Beatty huge profits.”

She added: “Unite will be backing our members 100 per cent during the forthcoming strike action.”

The workers operate from depots based at Barnet, Uxbridge, Swanley, Epping and Dartford and Unite says strike action will cause serious disruption to journey times. These workers provide maintenance for the entire M25.

Dates for industrial action will be announced in the coming days.

Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone said: “The inconvenience and delays caused by strike action to M25 travellers sits squarely at the door of Balfour Beatty.

“It has had every opportunity to put forward a reasonable offer but has repeatedly refused to do so. Balfour Beatty must swiftly return to talks with Unite and table an acceptable pay deal.”