Workers reject 1.5% pay rise offer

Construction unions have warned of “growing anger” from workers after they rejected a “derisory” 1.5% pay rise offer from contractors.

The Construction Industry Joint Council – which represents unions Unite and Ucatt and 500,000 workers – said they wanted a pay offer that reflected the increased cost of living.

The unions claimed rank and file protests outside the pay talks demonstrated “growing anger” among workers.

John Allott, national officer for Unite, said: “Employers are disgracefully asking construction workers to accept what is in real terms a pay cut.

“Bosses keep on demanding more work while thinking they can get away without paying a fair rate.

“Construction workers with bills to pay and families to feed are rightly angry and employers need to think again.

“We will be consulting with our members over the next steps in our campaign to get fair pay in line with the cost of living.”