Construction engineering workers are set to receive a 33% pay rise over the next two years under a union deal agreed this week.
The agreement has been reached by the National Engineering Construction Committee, which is comprised of members of unions AEEU, the T&G and GMB.

Workers' hourly pay will rise £2.65 by April 2003, leaving top grade workers with potential earnings of £12.40 an hour.

NECC lead negotiator Paul Corby said: "After two weeks of detailed consultations with our members, the wages and conditions review proposals have been accepted by them."

AEEU general secretary Ken Jackson said the deal reflected a new cross-union approach to pay settlements. The unions said the agreement included other benefits than just extra pay.