New shift system at Inco Europe

Process and craft workers at South Wales metal manufacturer Inco Europe received a 3.4% increase on basic salaries and shift allowances in a pay deal effective from 1 August.

In addition a further 0.8% may be awarded for 'merit' increases. These take place through the year and affect employees who are below the mid-point rate for their grade.

A new 12-hour shift system has recently been introduced for most process technicians which features a four days on-four days off pattern in the summer (mid-March to mid-October) and four days on-six days off in the winter. The system includes three 18 holiday breaks per year. The allowance for this shift pattern is now £5,034.

Most craft technicians work a 37.5 hour week day shift. Call-in payments stand at £18.10 for workers on days/eight-hour shifts, or £27.95 on 12-hour shifts, while overtime is paid at a rate of time and three quarters.

Process and craft workers are within the second and third band of the pay structure. New employees can gain 3% on basic salary each year until they attain the mid-point for the grade. If their job entails extra responsibilities, work or flexible working in other fields they may move beyond the mid-point, or onto a higher grade.

Inco Europe salary ranges*

minimum mid-point maximum 5 22,229 25,406 28,580 4 19,347 22,111 24,874 3 16,782 19,417 21,843 2 14,864 16986 19,111 1 13,008 14,867 16,724

* Process and craft workers are within the second and third band.