NAECI replacement draft in the pipeline

The engineering construction sector is on track to complete the drafting of a new national agreement on pay and conditions by the end of this year. The projected Industry Framework Agreement is set to replace the 25-year-old National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (Naeci) when the current settlement expires next spring.

Satisfactory progress on negotiations is reported following the latest meeting of the industry's joint employment relations development working party. The meeting was called to consider written responses from contractors and operatives to a consultation paper setting out the broad outlines of the proposed new agreement. The objectives of the framework deal are described as "preserving national bargaining and developing an agreement that is fit for purpose for the 21st century".

Key features are intended to include a set of core terms and conditions applicable to all work. This would be backed by sector-specific provisions relating to:

• New construction projects, including defined terms for migrant workers
• Term maintenance sites
• Events (shutdowns, turnarounds and outages) and
• Company agreements.

The working party is aiming to agree a final draft by November and to develop a supplement covering various other matters between November and March of next year.

The supplement will take in safety, competence and training, major projects, welfare, union matters, and administering the National Joint Council.

[Contract Journal, 13 September 2006, p 4]