Union chiefs encouraged to embrace pay agreement

The Engineering Construction Industry Association (ECIA) has warned union signatories to the NAECI national agreement on pay and conditions that all parties must work hard to ensure the deal is seen as an asset rather than an obstacle.

In a letter to union chiefs ahead of this week’s National Stewards’ Forum, ECIA managing director Michael Hockey wrote of his members’ concerns about the credibility of the present negotiation pro-cess and the very agreement itself.

He called on all sides to:

 Adopt a “more measured and realistic approach” when formulating their expectations prior to the start of negotiations.

 Make a concerted effort to conclude negotiations in good time.

 Support an improved system of NAECI communications whereby the workers affected by the deal can consider the outcome of the negotiations in a “balanced and informed way”.

He went on to note that many engineering construction clients no longer actively support the use of the NAECI, and that cost increases due to the agreement have made some ECIA members uncompetitive.

The “worrying growth in unprocedural and sympathy action” among in-scope workers is a further bone of contention.

Hockey concluded: “Both sides now have an opportunity to demonstrate their willingness to countenance and deliver meaningful change.”