Both main construction unions UCATT and Unite have expressed their frustration, anger and dismay after little progress was made at yesterday's pay talks.

Representatives of construction employers, who employ workers under the Construction Industry Joint Council Working Rule Agreement, were unable to reach consensus and again failed to make an offer in this year’s pay talks.

Tensions at the meeting were increased due to a large lobby of rank and file construction workers, who were protesting about the employers’ failure to make a pay offer.

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Steve Murphy, General Secretary of construction union UCATT, said: "The delay by the employers in even making a pay offer is simply unacceptable. There is growing anger among construction workers about low pay. The employers must return to the negotiating table with a decent pay offer."

John Allott, National Officer for Unite, said: "Employers are making a mistake if they think that construction workers will accept a pay freeze. This agreement has fallen behind other construction agreements due to previous below inflation pay increases."

A further pay negotiation meeting has now been scheduled for Tuesday 26th June 2012.

Trade union negotiators called on construction workers to remain calm despite their growing anger at the employers continued refusal to make a pay offer. However they promised that if a negotiated settlement cannot be reached they would not flinch from taking appropriate action.

(CD)