The Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association and trade union Amicus have thrashed out a pay deal that will give operatives £10 per hour.
The three-year Operative National Agreement runs from November 2003 until October 2006 and will breach the psychological £10 per hour rate.

The agreement includes increases in hourly rates, overtime and travel allowances of 3·5% from 3 November 2003; 4·5% from 4 October 2004; and 5·1% from 3 October 2005. From October 2004 lodging allowances will increase from £25.75 to £26.50 per night; and travel inside the M25 will rise from 12.5 to 20p per mile.

Peter Rimmer, HVCA head of employment affairs, said: “The establishment of an hourly rate of £10 for qualified craftsmen will reward those already active in the industry and help to attract new recruits.

“The three-year duration provides employers with certainty of labour costs over a protracted period.”

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor