The controversial Building Engineering Services National Agreement, which triggered more than six months of angry protests from electricians, has officially been dropped, reports Construction News.
In a move that could put an end to one of the most turbulent industrial relations disputes in construction’s recent history, trade body the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association and trade union Unite issued a joint statement saying that HVCA will withdraw its proposal for BESNA and that the two would enter talks in a bid to reform the 40-year-old JIB agreements for mechanical and electrical workers.
The statement said: “As a result of today’s decision by HVCA, Unite has agreed not to pursue further industrial action or protests against the BESNA companies …HVCA, supported by its member companies, will now engage in high-level talks with Unite within an agreed timeline, with the aim of creating new proposals and ensuring agreed terms are honoured.”
The proposals had looked doomed after Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES) quit BESNA last Friday having lost a court bid to block a strike by the firm’s Unite workers. Its exit prompted frantic meetings between BESNA’s remaining supporters – Crown House, Shepherd Engineering Services, Gratte Brothers, Spie Matthew Hall and T Clarke and NG Bailey – which all subsequently dumped the wage proposals.
The HVCA’s rival trade body the Electrical Contractors’ Association, which jointly runs the 40-year-old Joint Industry Board wage agreement with the Unite union, said it was “delighted” with the events, reports Building. The ECA and Unite have called for the firms to enter into dialogue aimed at creating new proposals.
Protests against BESNA have included a 1,000-strong London rally, a sit-in at a contractor’s headquarters and violent clashes with police. Over 6,000 workers were asked to sign up to BESNA by the first week of April or face redundancy, 90% of them had signed by February 13.
