Heating and ventilating pensions

General union Unite and heating and ventilating employers have amended their industry pension arrangements in what they describe as a “pioneering” move which anticipates the auto-enrolment regime that will begin to come into place in 2012. It means that all operatives employed under the Heating and Ventilating Industry agreement now have the right to participate in their employers’ contributory pension scheme. Employers will have to make an initial contribution of 1% of basic earnings above the primary earnings threshold set by the government at £110 per week.

Unite national officer Tom Hardacre said: “This addition to the national agreement opens the door to better provision for the future.”