A new inflation-busting pay deal for plumbers is under consideration. It was negiotated by Unite (Amicus Section) under the JIB Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Services, is being considered.
The offer is 4.5% in 2008 and 4.5% or retail price index, whichever is greater in 2009. However, the major concession of the offer is the reduction of hours before overtime payments kick in. The proposed reduction for 2008 is from 43 to 41 hours and in 2009 from 41 to 39 hours.

In practical terms, the weekly income for an Advanced Plumber working 37.5 hours would increase by £21.75 per week from £483.00 to £504.75. This basic weekly income would increase to £527.63 in 2009.

When the figures are calculated to reflect the changed overtime limit the gap becomes more noticeable.

The same advanced plumber who works 42 hours (all before 8pm Monday to Friday) would see his/her weekly income increase from £540.96 in 2007 to £572.05 in 2008 and £612.06 in 2009. This represents a real term increase of 13.1% in the two year period.

It also continues to look like a substantial offer when we consider that the average of the predictions from the main financial institutions suggests that RPI will be around 2.8% by the second quarter of 2008.

'We welcome this pay offer for one of the most highly skilled workforces in the UK economy,' said John Allot, an Amicus Section official.

'This offer to our plumbing members is above inflation and amounts to an inflation busting offer to plumbers working a small amount of overtime and shows the bargaining power of a national agreement.'