BAA becomes the first client to adopt the m&e industry's Major Projects Agreement on its Heathrow Terminal 5 construction project.
The Major Projects Agreement (MPA) is to be implemented at Heathrow Terminal 5, the largest construction project in the UK. At a recent meeting, the MPA Forum agreed terms with client BAA and went on to approve the terms of a Supplementary Project Agreement, which had been thrashed out with BAA by representatives of Amicus and major m&e suppliers on the Terminal 5 project including AMEC, Balfour Kilpatrick and Crown House Engineering.

The deal could see electricians on the project earning over £50 000 per year as well as enjoying site health care and high quality catering facilities. The MPA is based on operatives receiving an extra £3 per hour for work inside the M25 and £2.20 for work elsewhere.

The move comes after months of negotiations between client, union and employers and marks a watershed for the industry, as Terminal 5 becomes the first large project in the UK to adopt the pay guidelines set out in the MPA.

BAA construction director Andrew Wolstenholme welcomed the inclusion of the MPA's principles on T5: "I believe that a project of this scale and complexity will benefit from adopting this framework."

Sir Michael Latham, chair of the MPA Forum said: "I am delighted that [Terminal 5] will be the first to adopt the MPA and I look forward to discussions with other clients on the benefits which the MPA can bring to their m&e projects." These benefits include improved performance and productivity, a framework for stable industrial relations and integrated teamworking.

The inaugural meeting of the newly-formed T5 Joint Council takes place on 20 January.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor