£3-an-hour boost for M&E workers

Equal pay and conditions on major projects have finally been guaranteed for mechanical and electrical (M&E) workers following the signing of the landmark joint Major Projects M&E Agreement (MPA).

Following eight months of negotiations between Amicus, the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA), the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association and SELECT, the Scottish equivalent of the ECA, workers will share benefits on major projects over £100m - or with a labour value of £250m.

ECA head of employer relations Alex Meikle said: "This is a major step for the M&E sector as it will complement a changing culture in the industry and provide the measured performance these large-scale projects rely on."

Although the MPA will not replace the existing collective M&E agreements, it will be used as a common appendix dealing with key issues for workers.

Shared pay rates include an additional major projects performance payment of £2.20 an hour for craft grades or £3 per hour on projects within the M25.

Agreements with clients will be thrashed out through a newly-formed M&E forum made up of employer groups. An agreed project will then be given designated MPA status.

Other employer groups such as the Plumbers Association and plumbing contractors trade body NAPHMSC are known to be interested in signing up to the forum, which will be appointing a high-profile chairman in weeks.

Major Contractors Group members such as Amec, Crown House and Balfour Kilpatrick have also voiced their support for the forum.

Paul Corby, national officer of Amicus and head of the union's negotiating team, said: "This agreement, which will provide a 21st century employment framework for employees, will lead to a major change in the culture on site."

George Ashcroft, leader of the employers' negotiating team, said: "The task is now to launch the new agreement and ensure that clients, contractors and employers make the most of the opportunities it provides."