BATJIC says 2008 recommended levels will remain for a further year as small businesses suffer

Pay rates for 2009 and 2010 will remain frozen at last year's levels, the Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council says.

The BATJIC, which comprises the Federation of Master Builders and union Unite, said today that the rates introduced in June 2008 would remain in place for a further year.

Bob Blackman, national secretary for construction at Unite said he was “extremely disappointed” that no increases had been possible for this year.

But Richard Diment, director-general of the FMB, said: “It has become clear that conditions are not going to improve sufficiently for any form of increase to be possible for this year. The reality of the situation is that the trading environment for FMB members is so dire, that we are simply not in any position to assist hard presses workers with any aspect of their claim.”

The pay rates recommended by BATJIC agreement are not mandatory but, rather, are recommended minimum rates. The deal covers more than 200,000 employees and about 12,000 employers in the SME sector of the building industry.

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