Negotiations over a major projects agreement for the mechanical and electrical sector have hit the buffers after Amicus officials withdrew from the talks.
An emergency meeting of the Amicus team responsible for negotiating a major projects agreement with m&e bosses has resulted in the union withdrawing from all further talks.

Amicus officials called the meeting following a report in the construction press which claimed that talks would result in existing agreements being merged. Both the AEEU and MSF sections of Amicus "wish to totally disassociate ourselves with the report, as the report has no substance whatsoever", said an Amicus statement.

Talks on a deal for major projects have been going on for some time. Amicus insists that it will not accept any new grades for operatives or the introduction of occupations with qualifications at NVQ Level 2. Union officials have sought an agreement which preserves the independence and identity of existing agreements under the JIB, Scottish JIB and the HVCA.

Chair of the ECA employers' negotiating team George Ashcroft confirmed that talks on the major projects agreement do not include NVQ Level 2 occupations and do not interfere with existing agreements. "There is absolutely no suggestion of merging existing agreements," reads a statement. "This was a prerequisite of opening up negotiations by both parties."

Following the union withdrawal, Amicus is campaigning for second tier earnings in line with Rule 6.1.2 of the JIB agreement and seeks to expose "corrupt working practices", citing composite arrangements and bogus self-employment as targets.

"I trust that as a result of this clarification, we will be able to resume negotiations with Amicus to conclude an agreement which is essential to the future prosperity of the m&e industry and its employees," said the ECA statement.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor