SCOTTISH Borders Housing Association bosses say they are "disappointed" that tradesmen are threatening industrial action.

We reported yesterday that union Unite accused the association of "not taking seriously negotiations over pay, equality of working conditions, and working hours."

But Henry Coyle, Director of Assets and Property Services at SBHA says the company is committed to finding a solution.

He told us: “Repairs to tenants’ homes is a vital service and we are therefore disappointed to learn, via a press inquiry, of Unite’s intention to ballot its members within our Property Services Team on industrial action.

“SBHA values the role the Property Services Team plays in delivering services to tenants and for this reason have committed to constructive engagement over several months with a series of positive outcomes.”

The association say they have held “fortnightly meetings” with the trade union and do not accept that the current package is unfair.

Mr Coyle added: “The package received by Trade Operatives and Office based staff contains terms and conditions which are aligned to their different working environments. For example, office based staff do not receive an annual productivity bonus or work a rota day system. Unite negotiated this position for their members in 2009 and it has been of great benefit to them in recent years.

“We can confirm that, on September 26, Unite made a number of requests on behalf of our Property Services Team - a pay settlement of RPI plus one per cent, backdated to April 1; a reduction in working hours from 37 to 35; paid travelling time to and from work; and a separate grading system for staff in the Property Services Team.

“We have not failed to respond to Unite’s request – at the meeting with ACAS on September 26, which we attended at Unite’s invitation; we committed to respond to ACAS, on Unite’s request, within seven days and called ACAS on Friday, September 30.”

Mr Coyle also believes the company has been a “steady employer” during “turmoil” in the construction industry. He added: “Whilst we accept that pay may vary across the Sectors, our full conditions compare very favourably to those elsewhere in the construction industry. On the issue of travel time, Unite have requested that operatives be paid for time spent travelling to and from work.

“We have stressed that, as a ‘not for profit’ organisation and registered charity, we must balance Unite’s requests against the needs of SBHA tenants, the requirements of the whole employee group, and the future viability and competitiveness of Property Services.

"To put into place all of Unite’s requests would mean that rents would have to be increased to unacceptable levels of a further four per cent, or significant cuts in other services would have to be undertaken.”

“We appreciate that this may not be the response that Unite is seeking and we are keen to continue the process of constructive communication.”