Unions spurn 4% apprentice pay offer

Building and civil engineering employers who are party to the Construction Industry Joint Council have offered their apprentices pay increases of 3% to 4% this year.

Unions are consulting on the employers’ initial offer for 2005, but they are set formally to reject the proposals. They will be aiming for increases that are at least in line with the 9% to 9.5% rises which have already been agreed for skilled workers and which take effect from 27 June - when the craft rate rises from £8.22 to £9 per hour under a three-year deal.

Negotiations are due to resume on 11 May.

The employers are keen to retain the flexibility afforded by separately negotiated rates of pay for apprentices rather than any fixed link to the skill rates.

Their opening offer this year is framed in terms of the rate of inflation. They are also expected to seek variable rates of increase. They are thought to be ready to argue that there is good supply of suitable recruits coming into the industry. However, there is still an unduly high drop-out rate and the proposed pay rises are likely to be targeted more at retaining industry recruits and rewarding training achievement.