Home > News > APHC LAUDS COMMON SENSE PAY DEALAPHC LAUDS COMMON SENSE PAY DEAL
APHC (Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors) says that a new pay deal it has negotiated with Unite the union represents a common sense approach in these difficult economic times.
The two-year deal, which was negotiated through the JIB-PMES (The Joint Industry Board for Plumbing and Mechanical Engineering Services), sees pay rates staying the same during 2010 and rising in line with inflation in 2011. The draft proposal will now go out to members of APHC and Unite the union. Patrick Murray, Head of Industrial Relations at APHC, commented:
“As the industry’s employer representative, we are pleased with this sensible approach, which recognises the difficulties plumbing and heating companies are facing at the present time. Unite the union understands the unusual circumstances that formed the backdrop to the negotiations and in fact has helped to protect its members’ jobs by not demanding an unrealistic increase in pay.
“I am receiving phone calls daily from employers looking to reduce their staff numbers or cease trading altogether. A pay increase at this stage would have seriously damaged both employers and employees.”
The deal
The settlement means that next year, there will be little change to existing rates and allowances. The only significant change will be that the holiday pay scheme will now apply only to 30 days, rather than giving the option of covering just 22. In 2011, rates and allowances will increase in line with inflation, with figures taken from the Retail Prices Index in June 2010. This increase will be capped at 6%. In the event of deflation occurring, pay will not be cut – it will remain as per 2010.
Published: 10 June 2009
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