Construction unions UCATT, Unite and GMB have described a pay offer as derisory and have accused employers of treating workers with disrespect and derision.

The employers made their derisory offer in pay talks on Tuesday 29th October for the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) agreement. Around 500,000 workers are covered by some aspect of the CIJC agreement.

Since 2008 workers covered by the CIJC have seen their pay fall by 12% in real terms. The construction industry is expected to grow quickly over the next four years. Despite this employers proposed a multi-year pay offer which would have further reduced workers’ pay in real terms.

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Pay rates for construction workers working under the CIJC are lower than the other major industrial agreements in the construction industry.

Steve Murphy, General Secretary of construction union, UCATT, said: "Employers are treating their workers with derision and disrespect with an offer which would further cut workers’ pay in real terms. Workers are angry and will no longer accept poverty pay. The employers must make a realistic offer when talks resume."

Pay talks are set to resume next month.

(CD/MH)