Woodworkers block pay settlement

Joint Board pay talks broke up in disarray last week after negotiations were baulked by a continuing row over the employers' refusal to apply a previously agreed 3% increase in the craft rate to operatives in woodwork shops. Negotiations were adjourned until 20 June.

The dispute over the introduction of separate craft rates for site and shop workers meant there was no progress on discussing the employers' initial 1.67% offer for this year. The offer had already been unanimously rejected by the unions.

A special 3% rise in craft rates was agreed last year as part of a pay restructure. It is currently being negotiated.

But the employers have said this rise should not apply to woodwork shops, where the basic craft rate has a bigger impact on measured bonus earnings. The unions reluctantly accepted this exclusion last year, while reserving the right to raise the issue afresh.

At the latest Joint Board meeting, the GMB sought to secure an assurance from the employers that they would discuss the woodworkers' position. The employers refused to budge.

George Brumwell, general secretary of Ucatt said: 'I think the employers were looking for an excuse. It could have been put to one side. I suspect they are having problems with their woodwork shop members anyway.

'I have told the contractors that we don't want jam tomorrow. We recognise there is no upturn. But that is not an excuse for not paying proper wages.'

At the end of last year, the woodwork contractors pulled out of the Building Employers Confederation. They have since returned. In the meantime, the GMB started to press them for a separate pay settlement for their industry.