Construction unions UCATT, Unite and the GMB Union have agreed an improved pay offer on behalf of 500,000 workers covered by the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC).

On Thursday, 8th June, the unions agreed an improved pay offer, of an increase in all rates of 1.5% to be paid from Monday 5th September 2011. Previously the unions had rejected an offer of 1.25% which would not be paid until 2012 and would not cover all pay grades. The unions have also won agreement that the fare and subsistence allowances will increase by 5.3% and will be payable from Monday 27 June 2011.

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The union negotiating team also put forward proposals which were accepted, that talks would begin early in 2012 on a new deal which will properly address the low basic rates of pay for construction workers.

George Guy, Acting General Secretary of construction union UCATT, who led the negotiations, said: "This is an improved offer and ends the pay freeze for construction workers. It has been made clear to employers that future increases must properly reflect rising costs and the difficult, demanding, and skilled work undertaken by construction workers.

Phil Davies, National Secretary for Construction of the GMB, said: "This offer was the best that can be achieved under the current economic conditions. The union side is committed to significantly improving the agreement over the coming years."

(CD)