Construction union UCATT has scored a notable victory in its battle to prevent employment agencies paying workers below industry minimum levels. As a result 24 local construction workers have all received major pay rises.

UCATT discovered that Jark Recruitment was paying workers well below industry minimum rates on the Peterbrough Hospital PFI, which is being built by Brookfield Construction.

Labourers on the site were only receiving the minimum wage of £5.73 and other workers were also being paid well below the industry minimum. Workers were also receiving rolled up holiday a practice, which is broadly illegal.

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UCATT contacted Brookfield Construction and pointed out that workers on their site were receiving below the industry minimum rates. Brookfield had entered into an agreement with UCATT that the Working Rule Agreement covering pay rates would be observed on the site.

Brookfield responded very quickly and forced Jark Recruitment to pay the agreed minimum pay rates. As a result 14 labourers have had a £2 increase in pay, taking their pay to £7.75 an hour and 10 other semi-skilled workers have had their pay increased by an average of £1 an hour and are earning between £8.25 and £9.55 per hour. All the workers concerned have had their holiday pay rates increased.

Brian Rye, Regional Secretary for UCATT's Eastern Region, said: "It is time that the scoundrels were chased out of the construction industry. It is disgraceful that a major employment agency such as Jark were trying to undercut industry minimum pay rates. I want to congratulate Brookfield Construction for their swift response in helping to resolve this issue."

(CD/JM)