The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has secured a four-year pay increase deal with trade union Unite.

The 4.5% rise involves a 2% increase in wages from October this year, with a further 2.5% rise from October 2017.

Increases to weekly sickness and accident benefits, along with rates of holiday pay, are to rise pro rata in line with salary increases.

In addition, annual paid holiday entitlements for workers will increase by one day to 24 days from February 2020.

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Unite originally requested a four-year deal beginning from October 2016, however BESA stated the current deal was more fitting due to the economic climate.

Peter Rimmer, BESA's Director of Employment and Skills, said: "We enjoyed our usual robust, but constructive negotiations with Unite this year.

"Needless to say, the union argued hard for a considerably higher hourly rate, but accepted that the compromise reached was fair and in the long-term interests of both employers and operatives.

"As we enter a period of economic uncertainty following the EU Referendum, it is important that businesses can plan for the future safe in the knowledge that labour costs can be maintained at a sustainable level while also providing operatives with a fair return for the vital skills they provide to the industry and its clients."

Further negotiations are planned to take place later this year to agree wage levels that will apply for the two years from September 2018.

(LM)