2-year pay deal for demolition

A two-year pay deal has been agreed for operatives in the demolition industry. It will provide a 5 per cent increase in basic rates with effect from 27 July with a further 5 per cent increase to follow in July, 2000.

Bob Blackman, national secretary of the TGWU, commented: "It was the best we were going to get under the circumstances and it does move basic rates into a more realistic area. The union side had aimed to get a £5 minimum for a grade one operative. But we will achieve that next year. Most operatives are on the higher grades anyway."