Different fits to pay deals

Two recent pay deals demonstrate that annual pay rises don’t always provide the ideal framework.

The Scottish Decorators’ Federation has gone for a six-month deal with construction union UCATT, while food manufacturer HJ Heinz preferred a 20-month deal with general union Unite to bring the negotiating year into line with its fiscal year, which is now runs from January to December.

The Scottish Decorators’ Federation (SDF) deal raises the basic rate by 1.47% to £10.30 an hour with effect from 5 May, while apprentice rates start at £3.60 an hour. The increase also applies to expenses, allowances and lower and higher overtime rates.

It takes the night gang rate to £3.31 an hour, the lower overtime rate £15.45 an hour, and the higher overtime rate to £20.60 an hour.

The SDF’s members undertake three-quarters of the painting and decorating work in Scotland, while more than half the industry’s 30 manufacturers are members of the federation.

Unite’s 20-month pay deal at the HJ Heinz’s Kitt Green plant in Wigan runs from 1 May, providing a 2.75% general pay increase, effective until 1 January 2015. The deal includes a firm commitment to maintain negotiated terms and conditions for the duration of this pay deal and retention of year 2/3 apprentices, subject to current individual performance reviews, with further commitment to the apprenticeship scheme.

www.lrd.org.uk/index.php?pagid=18