Months of pay deadlock were broken this week when contractors made the improved offer to unions in the latest round of Construction Industry Joint Council talks.

Contractors raised their initial offer to a 3% national rate rise from June 2014. This will be followed by a further 3% increase starting from June 2015. Several allowances will also be improved.

Unions UCATT, Unite and GMB  have agreed to recommend the offer to members.

Steve Murphy, General Secretary of construction union UCATT, said: “This is an improvement on previous offers from the employer’s side. However, even with the increase in pay these rates do not reflect the hard work, skills and dedication of construction workers.”

John Allott, Unite’s National Office for Construction, said: “We have held a series of tough negotiations over a number of months and this is the best we could achieve across the negotiating table. “

Phil Whitehurst, the GMB’s National Officer for Construction, said: “Construction workers have suffered badly over the past six years due to the recession.

“After protracted negotiations this is the best deal we can get and all three unions are recommending acceptance to their members. When we have the offer in written form from the employers GMB will consult members.”