Construction workers get inflation-plus

Workers in the construction industry are to receive above-inflation pay rises under new national agreements.

The Construction Industry Joint Council, which covers workers on large industrial projects and includes representatives from the T&G and GMB general unions and the construction union UCATT, has negotiated a three-stage, 36-month agreement with an initial increase of 3.5%.

Further increases of 4.35% and 6% in June 2007 and 2008 will raise the total value to 14.5% over the three years - well above the employers' earlier offer of 11.1%.

Basic hourly pay is now £7.01 for general operatives, with a craft rate of £9.32 an hour. The lowest apprentice rate, for those in their first year, is £3.88 an hour.

In a separate agreement, house builders covered by the Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council are to receive pay rises of 4.5% this year, raising the hourly rate for an adult general operative to £7.12.