ECIA withdraws from T5

The Engineering Construction Industry Association (ECIA) has withdrawn from all matters related to Heathrow T5 after the project's steel erectors were awarded an extra £1 an hour last week.

In a letter sent to members this afternoon, the ECIA states: "At the National Joint Council (NJC) held on Wednesday 9 November, it was confirmed that additional bonus arrangements are being implemented on Heathrow T5 in line with an award made by an ACAS-appointed arbitrator. This is clearly a breach of the NAECI terms and conditions and as a result the ECIA had no option but to advise the NECC trade unions that it would cease, with immediate effect, its participation in the T5, all forums connected with that project and any NJC-related procedures."

The letter states that individual employees’ terms and conditions will not change. However, the NAECI disciplinary, dismissal and grievance procedures will no longer apply, and will need to be replaced by equivalent company or site procedures.