A 3.5% pay increase offer for around 500,000 workers employed under the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has been described as "insulting" by trade unions.
Pay talks for the CIJC took place on Wednesday, 09 March.
However, unions UCATT, Unite and GMB were 'shocked' that employers offered the 3.5% increase spread over two years.
In addition, employers ruled out paying the London Living Wage for workers in the capital.
Brian Rye, Acting General Secretary, of construction union UCATT, said: "To describe the union's position as bitterly disappointed would be an understatement. This offer was spiteful and pathetic in its meanness.
"Union negotiators believe that the employers are effectively trying to undermine the agreement and that unless a realistic offer is made there is little point in holding further negotiations.”
Unite national officer John Allott said employers need to "get real" over the offer, which "falls well short" of members' expectations.
"The pittance on offer is out of kilter with the rest of the construction industry and fails to recognise the sacrifices workers made during the tough times," he said.
"The employers need to stop using the agreement as a minimum and get the agreement into the 21st century. A failure to make the agreement relevant and attractive to highly skilled construction workers could see people desert the industry and much needed young apprentices choose a different career."
Phil Whitehurst, GMB National Officer for Construction, added: "The derisory two year deal of 3.5% overall has been unanimously rejected by GMB, Unite and UCATT and makes the Trade Union side wonder if this group of employers really want this agreement at all.
"We request the employers come back with some realistic figures at our next meeting on 22nd March."
(LM)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
20/11/2024
Construction firm Willmott Dixon has partnered with Westminster City Council on a £36 million project to restore the historic Seymour Centre in Marylebone, a Grade II listed building dating back to the 1930s. The project, procured through the SCF framework, will see the three-storey centre undergo ...
20/11/2024
The Hill Group has commenced work on a new development in Billericay, Essex, which will deliver 179 high-quality homes across a 20-acre site. Designed to blend with Billericay's scenic countryside while addressing the pressing demand for sustainable housing, the project is located on Kennel Lane ...
20/11/2024
Extensive groundwork is underway for a new housing development in Maidstone, where Vistry Group, in partnership with Legal & General Affordable Homes, is set to build 272 properties on the site of the former Tovil Quarry off Farleigh Hill. The project will include 37 affordable homes for low-cost ...
20/11/2024
Stonewater has scooped a new energy efficiency retrofit contract with compliance and energy services provider Correct Contract Services. This work, funded through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 2, will include a range of energy-saving upgrades. Measures such as loft ...
20/11/2024
Kier has been appointed by Cambridgeshire County Council to deliver building, mechanical, and electrical maintenance services across the Council's portfolio of 160 corporate buildings. The contract, which began in November 2024, will run until 2027, with the possibility of two one-year extensions ...
20/11/2024
Builders use water for various functions on the job, they utilise this resource for worker hygiene, hydration, concrete batching, grouting, dust suppression, drilling and piling. If companies mismanage this water use, they can increase their environmental impact. When the industry comes ...
20/11/2024
Edmond Shipway has been appointed to a pioneering initiative tackling homelessness in Greater Manchester, providing project management and cost consultancy services on the second phase of Embassy Village. Set to deliver 40 purpose-built homes for men facing homelessness in Manchester, Embassy ...
20/11/2024
West Sussex County Council is inviting residents to share their views on proposed transport improvements at the Hazelwick and Tushmore junctions on the A2011 Crawley Avenue. The proposals aim to make walking, cycling, and public transport more appealing for short journeys. This initiative is part ...
19/11/2024
McLaren Construction has commenced works at the first UK industrial scheme in the East Midlands for a joint venture with Garbe Industrial Real Estate GmbH and Invesco Real Estate. McLaren will oversee all aspects of construction for the £30 million project located in Shireoaks, Worksop - in the ...
19/11/2024
Pennyfarthing Homes has submitted a planning application for 74 new homes in Fordingbridge as part of its plans to build a neighbourhood of 342 homes on the northern edge of the Hampshire market town. The new development which is part of the wider scheme known as Forde Valley and follows ...