Builders and Unite the union agree 1.5% pay rise for construction workers

A 1.5% pay rise for construction workers has been agreed for 2021/22 following successful pay negotiations between the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and Unite the union.

The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) has agreed a one-year deal involving a 1.5% pay rise to come into effect in June 2021. This follows the successful conclusion of pay negotiations between the FMB, on behalf of small to medium-sized (SME) construction employers, and Unite the Union, on behalf of operatives.

The key information is as follows:

• BATJIC has agreed a one-year deal involving a 1.5% pay rise over the next year;
• The adult general operative rate increases to £10.22 per hour;
• The NVQ3 advanced craft rate increases to £13.37 per hour;
• The changes will come into effect as of Monday 21 June 2021.

Responding to the agreement:

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “2020 was an unprecedented and challenging year for small to medium-sized building firms. This agreement seeks to balance the uncertainty that they continue to face with the need to reward the construction workforce who have continued to go to work during the pandemic. I hope this pay increase sends a positive message to tradespeople, and potential new entrants, that construction is a sustainable and rewarding industry to work in.”

Jerry Swain, the National Officer for Construction at Unite the union, said: “Unite understands these are uncertain times we are currently living through and also recognises that unlike other construction agreements, last year there was an increase in the BATJIC pay rates. While of course Unite would have liked to have seen a larger increase, we are pleased to be able to say; that during this pandemic we have maintained the spending power of our member’s pay under this agreement. This is important if we are to attract and retain workers to our industry at a time when the Government is looking to construction to build back better and provide much-needed jobs.”