3.5% for 2001 at South East Water

A 12-month deal effective from 1 January 2001 increases basic salaries at South East Water in bands 1-5 by 3.5% flowing through to standby, overtime and call-out rates.

In addition, the agreement allows for discussions on a salary progression scheme, which will aim to ensure that individual salaries reflect the competencies and skills of each individual. These are to be assessed through an annual review process.

The company will also implement a revised long- service award scheme, based on acquiring "bonds" for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years' service. These bonds, which are like bank notes and have a two-year expiry, can be "banked", or added to, to purchase a variety of gifts. Proposed bond values were from £50 for five years service to £250 for 25 years.

The agreement maintained a 37-hour week but the flexibility of working those hours to suit the needs of both the individual and the company would be "encouraged".

The "learning and development scheme" which encourages employees to undertake study in their own time (which need not be related to work) is to be re-introduced, with course fees up to £200 per year to be reimbursed, subject to approval.

The deal also dealt with moves towards a share save scheme, the continuation of "team reward" payments, and arrangements relating to redundancy.