The offer was a softening in the employers’ previous stance of no pay rise under the Construction Industry Joint Council agreement which covers 500,000 workers.

But the unions dismissed the proposed deal as ‘derisory and insulting’ as the latest round of talks broke down yesterday.

The offer represents an extra 17 pence an hour for craft workers and 13 pence an hour for general operatives.

The proposed dea was also to be deferred until January 2013 and was part of a 2 year deal with 0% being offered in the second year.

Steve Murphy, General Secretary of Ucatt, said: “Construction workers are sick and tired of crocodile tears from the employers.

“Construction companies continue to make profits, directors get paid bonuses but workers aren’t paid enough to provide for themselves and their families. We have no option but to demand the employers reconsider this insulting offer.”

John Allott, National Officer for Unite, said: “Employers are disgracefully asking construction workers to accept what is in real terms a pay cut.

“Bosses keep on demanding more work while thinking they can get away without paying a fair rate. Construction workers with bills to pay and families to feed are rightly angry and employers need to think again. We will be consulting with our members over the next steps in our campaign to get fair pay in line with the cost of living.”

The talks were again lobbied by rank-and-file workers prompting fears the stalemate could spark further demonstrations.