Craft rates break the £10 per hour rate for the first time - skill rates rise 6%.
The Joint Secretaries of the Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) announced on Friday 2nd March 2007 that they had reached agreement on increases to wage rates following a detailed submission from the Union side.
The new basic hourly rates (based on a 39 hour week) and applying between Monday, 11th June 2007 and Sunday, 8th June 2008 will be:
| S/NVQ3 Advanced Craft |
£10.06 |
(previously £9.67) |
| S/NVQ2 Intermediate Craft |
£8.65 |
(previously £8.32) |
| Adult General Operative |
£7.40 |
(previously £7.12) |
The settlement also makes increases to skill rates, daily fare allowances, travel and pensions.
Bob Blackman (the Union side Joint Secretary) said: "The negotiations were difficult again this year, so I am pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement that still gives a real-terms increase in pay to construction workers across the UK. The further increases that we have agreed on skills rates, clearly demonstrate the importance of skills to the industry, and the commitment of BATJIC to improving them."
Jonathan Watkiss (the Employers side Joint Secretary) said: "The trading environment has continued to be tough for small and medium sized building firms, who are increasingly feeling the bite of competition from those not playing by the rules. We feel that this agreement is the right balance between reward for hard work and skill, and acknowledgement of the commercial realties. Despite these difficulties, both the employers and unions are pleased to retain BATJIC's position as the exemplar agreement for terms and conditions in the construction industry."
"We also feel that the right decisions have been taken to encourage the development of the individual skills needed by firms in this sector, and we have taken steps to reduce the financial burden on firms seeking to take on apprentices."
"I am sure that the agreement will be acceptable to members across the country. As the new arrangements will not apply until Monday 11th June 2007, this gives time to prepare future estimates on a more certain cost basis."
The full 2007/2008 rates are available for download from the BATJIC area of the site.
First posted: 06 March 2007. Last modified: 16 March 2007
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