AROUND 500,000 WORKERS operating under the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) agreement are set to receive a 7.59% pay increase following negotiations led by construction union, Unite.

The workers will receive 6% next month, followed by a further 1.5% increase from January 2024. Additionally, the general operative (labourer) rate – the lowest pay rate – will immediately increase by 8%.

Pay Increase Secured

Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham

Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “This is an important deal that not only increases workers’ wages but also establishes a pathway for improved conditions for a huge number of construction workers.

“Unite is totally committed to enhancing the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and both the pay increase workers will receive coupled with planned improvements in conditions, demonstrates the value of being a member of Unite.”

Additional increases include the taxed travel allowance which will increase by 6% from next month and then a further 1.5% from 1 January 2024. The untaxed fare allowance will increase by 10.1%, and the subsistence allowance will increase to £49.08 a night.

From next week, industry sick pay (which is paid on top of statutory sick pay) is also set to increase to £154.02 a week, and then to £156.33 from January.

Unite national officer for construction, Jerry Swain.

Unite National Officer Jerry Swain, said: “Following lengthy negotiations Unite was able to secure a significant increase in construction pay rates.

“The union will now be building on these negotiations to ensure that the CIJC agreement is fit for purpose and meets the needs and aspirations of construction workers.”

The union says that the employers’ side have made a genuine commitment to modernise the agreement and are committed to meaningful review with Unite to improve the existing rules on holiday entitlement, sickness provision and pensions.

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