Construction unions say ‘no deal’ to pathetic pay offer

Construction unions Unite, Ucatt and the GMB have all rejected a pay rise put forward by building bosses.

The employers offered 1.25 percent from January 2012—six months later than the due date for the annual agreement. Any deal should start from June.

Over half a million construction workers, covered by the Construction Industry Joint Council agreement, have had no pay rise since 2008.

Ucatt acting general secretary George Guy said, “Construction workers have borne the brunt of the downturn in the industry.

“It is simply unacceptable that employers are trying to postpone a pay rise until 2012.

“The employers now need to return with an improved and realistic offer.”

Unite national officer for construction John Allott called the offer “inadequate given the soaring cost of living and the fact that our members have not had a pay rise for three years”.

Last week some 70 shop stewards and representatives demonstrated outside the employers’ headquarters in London over the pay deal.