Insulation workers give pay rise a warm welcome

Workers in the thermal insulation industry have received an increase of 4.63% in their basic rate, under an agreement reached with the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association by the GMB and T&G general unions last month .

The Association, which has 80 members employing approximately 3,000 workers across England and Wales, has agreed to raise the hourly basic rate by 42p to £9.50.

Holiday and sick pay have also been increased by 4.63%, while overtime payments have increased by 3.4% to £8.50 per hour.

“This year’s pay negotiations resulted in us moving to a more realistic basic-rate payment for the thermal insulation industry, but we still have to improve on the rate further,” said GMB national secretary Keith Hazlewood, who led the negotiations for the union.

He added that the industry “has some long-standing issues that need addressing”, and said that these would be discussed by a working party of both employers and shop stewards.

After being approved by both unions, the agreement was implemented earlier this month.