Pay freeze over for thousands of site workers

Grant Prior 15 years ago
Share

Thousands of site workers at small and medium sized contractors will get a pay rise this year following a 12-month wages freeze.

Talks between employers and the unions via the Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC)  have resulted in agreement on a 2% increase to the three headline rates of pay effective from Monday 13thSeptember 2010.

Richard Diment, Director-General of the Federation of Master Builders said: “Once again the length and severity of the recession in the construction sector has made for a very tough round of negotiations with both sides doing what they can to help workers cope with the increasing financial pressures, but without endangering jobs. Both we and our colleagues at Unite feel that this solution will achieve this very difficult balancing act.

“While our own State of Trade Survey shows that the trading environment for our members has continued to deteriorate, the rate of deterioration seems to be slowing, and there are signs that members are more optimistic about the future.

“With this in mind, we feel that this settlement will be deliverable at the time of the implementation date. We feel that it is important to have a pay increase in order to recognise the contribution that workers have made to helping businesses survive through the recession, and to retain their skills that will be essential to the recovery of the industry.”

Bob Blackman, National Secretary for Construction at Unite, said: “While the settlement is not as generous as we would have liked, we have to acknowledge that the industry is still in decline and that any recovery will be slow.

“As such the preservation of jobs must remain a priority for our members while still trying to do what we can to lessen the impact of what has been a savage recession in the sector. This settlement shows that BATJIC can continue its proud record of delivering real improvements in pay and conditions for construction workers, even in the most difficult conditions.

“What is essential is that, whoever forms the next government after May 6th, economic recovery must be the priority, and as part of that it is essential that construction spending is maintained given that the sector is the most efficient at converting public money into jobs and valuable national infrastructure.”

Latest news

10 big road and rail upgrades get funding green light

£1.3bn A66 dualling, Simister Island junction upgrade and Midlands Rail Hub get funding
25 minutes ago

Design, build and finance plan for £1bn Cheddar 2 reservoir

South West Water starts pre-bid market engagement on 75km pipeline and reservoir
17 minutes ago

Illegal working blitz catches Indian builders

Home Office raids target migrants working cash-in-hand on sites
18 hours ago

Major Sizewell concrete win for local supplier

Eastern Concrete Ltd wins its biggest ever contract
25 minutes ago

SIG chief put on gardening leave

New CEO appointed as Gavin Slark steps down immediately
11 minutes ago

Adjustable hard hat launched for different hair types

AtkinsRéalis initiative will also make PPE more comfortable for bald builders
34 seconds ago

Lynch appeal sees £800,000 abnormal load fine reduced to £10k

Judge rules original fine was was 'manifestly excessive'
1 day ago

Government calls up firms to explore PPP healthcare projects plan

New public-private partnership idea to be scoped out with contractors
1 day ago

Balfour Beatty terminates Danny Sullivan labour deals

Around 500 workers on HS2 will be moved to alternative agencies or be taken on direct
3 days ago

Prosper picks 34 firms for £1bn retrofit bonanza

Equans, Fortem, Mears and Vinci among winners on four-year PAS 2035 framework
1 day ago

Trio face prosecution after Hinkley site death

Main contractors and client to face charges over death of site supervisor
3 days ago

£60m raised to advance world-first cement CCS project

Five lime and cement plants to capture emissions for storage under Irish Sea
1 day ago

Buyers see recovery in house building sector

But civil and commercial work still in the doldrums
4 days ago

Apprentice saws-off thumb on hotel refurb site

Court hears how digit was reattached and teenager continued training with another firm
4 days ago

Laing O’Rourke tops June contracts league

£919m animal super lab dominates new orders
4 days ago

TSL turnover smashes £500m as profit almost trebles

Data centre and logistics contractor rises high on surging demand
4 days ago

Gleeson Homes chief exec leaves business after restructure

Management revamp after "challenging" year
4 days ago

Green light for 1,600-home Oldham town centre overhaul

Plans for over 1,600 homes across six regeneration sites approved
4 days ago

DSM wins Norwich city centre clearance job

Anglia Square shopping centre clearance for £300m scheme
4 days ago

13-year-old becomes UK’s youngest qualified digger driver

Grandson of Gallagher Group chairman sets industry record
4 days ago

Cubby reborn in £12m Svella-backed takeover

£50m revenue target set as 14 firms combine under new Cubby Group banner
5 days ago

North East NHS trusts plot £3bn health estate overhaul

Market engagement begins for major construction push across four trusts
5 days ago

HG goes green on cranes in £1.2m switch to battery power

Diesel-free crane drive cuts fuel bills by 94%
5 days ago

Developer fined £165,000 for fire safety failings

Firm ignored fire safety orders on apartment job in Preston
5 days ago

Bidding to start for £1.8bn North West framework

Contractors invited to bid for latest Procure Partnerships deal
5 days ago

Hill hits record £90m profit as homes pipeline swells

Build-to-rent push and £4.8bn contracting book to fuel next growth phase
6 days ago

Rayner unveils £39bn plan to build 300,000 social homes

Council building revival and rent reform feature in social and affordable homes plan
6 days ago

Keltbray bounces back with £3.2m profit

Tighter controls and smarter project selection fuel strong turnaround
6 days ago

VINCI JV wins 500-home twin town centre revamps

Chester Northgate phase 2 and Northwich Weaver Square schemes move to delivery stage
6 days ago

80 energy projects unlocked as Ofgem backs grid expansion

£24bn energy networks deal gets green light from regulator
7 days ago