BRICKLAYERS working for Epping Forest District Council will begin three months of industrial action on Monday, March 26, in a row over job grading.

The workers, who belong to the Union of Construction Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT), went on strike last year after allegedly being stripped of their craft status and "downgraded" to handymen.

The grading formed part of the district council's job evaluation for craft workers, which placed bricklayers and carpenters in the same pay grade. Both the bricklayers and carpenters appealed against the decision and an independent panel agreed to upscale the carpenters' job grade and pay.

However the panel maintained the bricklayers' grade should remain the same.

The new grade means an "essential" City and Guilds qualification which is recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Institute of Building is no longer recognised as a requirement for council bricklayers.

UCATT says that despite this Epping Forest District Council subsequently requested it in job advertisements.

Outraged bricklayers allege they are now being paid about £3,500 a year less than carpenters for what they say is a more skilled and varied job.

A UCATT spokesman said: "We have a genuine grievance. It's not about the money, it's about the kudos. Bricklayers are multi-traders and fulfill more duties than carpenters.

"We believe the council made an error in their job evaluation exercise and we just want parity. The union is really trying hard to be reasonable but the council are putting their heads in the sand."

UCATT said it will "strenuously pursue" negotiations with the district council during the industrial action and will seek legal advice on bringing it into enforced negotiations if they do not co-operate.

In a statement the council reiterated that to discuss job grading any further with the bricklayers would be outside its policies and procedures.

A spokesman said: "Reviewing their score would not be fair to all other council employees who had been evaluated, as they did not receive this further opportunity to discuss their evaluation. Throughout the job evaluation process the bricklayers were afforded the same opportunities as all other staff across the council who were subject to the process."

UCATT also alleges the council illegally passed the bricklayers' work to contractors during last year's strike, at additional cost to local taxpayers.

The council confirmed five bricklayers went on partial strike last September but insisted: "At no time has the council illegally contracted work out."