The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and Unite the Union have agreed on a new two-year wage deal from January 2024, for the electrical contracting industry under the JIB collective agreement.
Some of the key changes to be implemented include:
First year (from 2024)
- 7% increase to rates.
- £20 increase to weekly sick pay for all grades during weeks 3 to 24, therefore providing,
- £210 p/w for a technician
- £200 p/w for an approved electrician
- £190 p/w for an electrician
- £180 p/w for others as defined in clause 1.3 note(a) in section 9 of the JIB Handbook.
- £10 increase to weekly sick pay for all grades (as above) during weeks 25 to 52.
Second year (from 2025)
- 5% increase to rates.
- £10,000 increase to death in service benefit, therefore up from £30,000 to £40,000.
- A ‘recoupment’ arrangement for sick pay – an arrangement to reimburse the second week of absence after an employee has been off sick for eight weeks.
- 50p-£2 responsibility money, increased from 10p-£1.
Other points agreed:
- Lodging allowance will be increased on the anniversary dates in line with the usual process between JIB and HMRC using a formula set out by HMRC.
- Agreement to review the level of remuneration payable to electrical installation apprentices and the position of electrical contracting wage levels.
- There is an agreement to include wording in the handbooks to outline the current statutory pension arrangement; and
- There is also an agreement to amend the current wording in section 4, clause 6 of the JIB Handbook to reflect a broader range of training courses.
ECA Chief Negotiator, Andrew Hutchins, says, “I am pleased with the outcome of the negotiations. The last few years have been difficult, and it is beneficial to have some certainty at a time when the wider economy is unpredictable. This agreement gives us an opportunity to work with Unite on longer term ambitions to update and modernise the industry to improve skills for a low carbon economy.”
Unite National Officer, Jason Poulter, says, “Unite members have voted to accept a two-year agreement, which will create economic certainty for them for the lifetime of the deal. Our members recognise the benefits of direct employment and collective bargaining delivering enhanced sick pay, private medical cover, and insurances to give essential peace of mind. We will continue to work with the ECA and our reps to ensure electricians are recognised as an essential part of the skilled workforce needed to achieve net zero ambitions and that they are provided with and maximise the scope on the whole package of terms and conditions in line with their in depth training and high skilled status.”
