Revised pay offer 'not enough' says UCATT

Building and civil engineering employers have put forward an improved pay offer that would give site operatives a total increase of 14.4% in basic rates over three years. Trade union leaders have indicated that this is not acceptable.

Negotiations at the Construction Industry Joint Council were resumed last week. They followed an opening offer from employers of a three-year deal worth 10%. The revised proposals included a one-year deal for apprentices.

UCATT general secretary George Brumwell said: "This new offer still falls short of our expectations. We remain in the business of reaching a three-year agreement. There are signs of a slight cooling off in construction activity. But there is still a lot to go for.

"This is the right time to close the gap between the nationally negotiated minimum rates and the actual market rates paid on site. It's about following the Egan agenda and bringing in an attractive pay structure that will encourage people to join the industry."

TGWU national secretary Bob Blackman added: "This offer is backloaded to the third year. We were looking for something more generous."

Negotiations are set to resume before Easter. The current three-year agreement expires in June.