Construction business Balfour Beatty has increased the number of full days of holiday pay for its electricians following a campaign by trade union Unite.
From January 2023, all 280 electricians employed under the terms of the Joint Industry Board (JIB) or Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), which are the industrial agreements for electricians, will receive 32 full days of holiday pay. These employees previously received holiday pay based on average pay for 20 days of annual leave, with the remaining leave of up to 12 days a year paid at basic pay rates.
According to Unite, this change means that the members of staff will each receive an additional payment of £250 this year, as part of a recognition that holiday pay should be paid in full. It has also brought the business into line with other employers that abide by the JIB and SJIB agreements, and will avoid staff receiving a lower level for holidays paid at basic rates.
Balfour Beatty stated that this agreement had been made through discussions without the need for industrial action.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “This is an excellent result for Unite’s construction members at Balfour Beatty. Unite is now entirely committed to improving the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and this agreement demonstrates that this approach is bearing fruit.”
Jason Poulter, national officer at Unite, added: “This was a very important agreement and has settled a longstanding grievance for electricians employed by Balfour Beatty. Unite will now be working to ensure that other electrical contractors take action and begin paying workers their full holiday pay.”