Mechanicals offered 4.6% rise

Mechanical engineering contractors have offered their operatives a 4.6 per cent increase in basic rates of pay with effect from January.

The engineering construction unions are consulting their members about the offer. But AEEU leader Paul Corby commented: "We are seeking further talks with the contractors early in December regarding improved terms. There is concern about the disparity between the engineering construction rates and those in the electrical contracting sector."

Corby added that operatives were being advised that it would be pointless to reject the proposals outright unless they were prepared to take industrial action.

The current offer includes a 3.1 per cent increase in radius allowance, 3.5 per cent on lodging allowance, and 75p per day 'link money.' The terms also include holiday pay to be calculated at the average rate of pay for the first 16 days of holiday.

The union pay claim warned of "increasing tensions around the whole UK construction environment." It said: "other sectors have started to demonstrate a volatility within the construction industrial relations scenario."

In particular, the unions drew attention to petrochemical and energy sector clients who were said to be rewarding comparable skills in their own workforces - such as electricians - with "staff status salaries in excess of £20,000 a year."