A 3.5% pay increase offer for around 500,000 workers employed under the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has been described as "insulting" by trade unions.

Pay talks for the CIJC took place on Wednesday, 09 March.

However, unions UCATT, Unite and GMB were 'shocked' that employers offered the 3.5% increase spread over two years.

In addition, employers ruled out paying the London Living Wage for workers in the capital.

Brian Rye, Acting General Secretary, of construction union UCATT, said: "To describe the union's position as bitterly disappointed would be an understatement. This offer was spiteful and pathetic in its meanness.

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"Union negotiators believe that the employers are effectively trying to undermine the agreement and that unless a realistic offer is made there is little point in holding further negotiations.”

Unite national officer John Allott said employers need to "get real" over the offer, which "falls well short" of members' expectations.

"The pittance on offer is out of kilter with the rest of the construction industry and fails to recognise the sacrifices workers made during the tough times," he said.

"The employers need to stop using the agreement as a minimum and get the agreement into the 21st century.  A failure to make the agreement relevant and attractive to highly skilled construction workers could see people desert the industry and much needed young apprentices choose a different career."

Phil Whitehurst, GMB National Officer for Construction, added: "The derisory two year deal of 3.5% overall has been unanimously rejected by GMB, Unite and UCATT and makes the Trade Union side wonder if this group of employers really want this agreement at all.

"We request the employers come back with some realistic figures at our next meeting on 22nd March."

(LM)