Up to 30,000 UK construction workers are set to benefit from new arrangements that will bring together mechanical and electrical contracting workers under a single negotiating structure.

Unite, one of Britain's biggest construction unions, has hailed the new arrangements, describing them as a significant step towards strengthening union representation within a hugely important industrial sector.

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The Joint Industry Board (JIB) for the electrical contracting industry confirmed that the Board will adopt optional arrangements to cover mechanical disciplines within the JIB agreement. A working party comprising of unions and employers has been established to develop the details of the agreement.

Unite's Assistant General Secretary, Les Bayliss, said: "Unite negotiates the best rates of pay, conditions and national agreements for construction in the UK. Mechanical contractors will be able to benefit from joining the robust JIB agreement and these arrangements will strengthen union representation in the sector even further."

The JIB agreement covers every major construction site in the UK.

(CD)