With protests about to enter the 8th week My Local Electrician takes a look at whats been happening over the past 7 weeks.
For those who don't know, the Joint Industry Board (JIB) which has been operating since March 1968 create a unique benefit package for electricians which includes setting industry standards and improving relations between employer and employee.It is controlled by the ECA and Union Unite.
So whats happening?:
Throughout the last 40 years the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) and Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association (HVCA ) have worked together jointly with the JIB wage agreement but talks to change the agreement at the end of last year turned sour with 8 companies walking away from the joint agreement saying they will be leaving the JIB in March 2012.
The 8 contracting companies who have walked away from the joint agreement are:
Bailey Building Services
Balfour Beatty
T Clarke
Crown House Technologies
Gratte Brothers
MJN Colston
SES
SPIE Matthew Hall
These companies have now drafted in help from the HVCA to draw up their own agreements independent of the ECA and JIB.
This has lead to a breakdown in the relationship of the ECA and HVCA who have over the past 4 years worked closely in the development of a new pay scheme for their members workers as well as a possible merger of the 2 organisations.
The ECA have tried to instigate talks, without success with the eight companies who have left the scheme to try and come to a workable solution which would keep the National JIB wages agreement. A spokesperson from the HVCA who is assisting the 8 companies dismisses the scheme as outdated and unworkable. It is proposing the Building Engineering Services national agreement (BESNA), which would break down the distinction between electrical and mechanical workers’ pay and conditions. HVCA argues that BESNA will foster a more integrated workforce and provide greater career opportunities for electricians. He said: “These proposals are essential if we’re to move with the times. Institutions have probably been holding this change back.” These changes, it says, are benign. HVCA say “Not a single worker will be any worse off as a result of these proposals and contractors are making this clear. We want the unions to work with us on this scheme.”
So what does mean for Electricians?
Well it means quite a bit actually and is threatening the livlihood of 6000 electricians. If the BESNA agreement goes ahead, it would mean that employers themselves would determine the pay grade of their employee, and there would no longer be a national set minimum agreement. This could mean that contractors are facing pay cuts right at the time when living costs are already stretched and leading to poorer working conditions throughout the construction industry.
Unsurprisingly this has lead to protests around the country, although not official, they are increasing in popularity. Unite Union have tried to stop the protests escalating, as they try to keep control of their authority. As they struggle to maintain this control and curb the rising anger amongst the construction workers there is speculation that they may offer an official 1 day strike, after talks to prevent such a strike from taking place were going nowhere.
So how do you feel?
Do you feel the JIB, ECA and Unite Union should be doing more to negotiate some agreement with the 8 companies who have walked away from the scheme? Are you directly affected by the proposed changes? Are you worried about your future job prospects?
My Local Electrician would like to hear your opinions and comments relating to this on going saga between the ECA and HVCA