Although I’m not a union member myself, I am an electrician and believe that we deserve the right rate of pay for an often very difficult and responsible job.
Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences of the current disputes and the issues involving BESNA?
This is a big issue for many electricians and it will affect pay and conditions for future generations.
One electrician says- "Electricians are demonstrating all over the country to keep the JIB agreement and not sign the new proposed BESNA agreement proposed by the largest Electrical contractors in the country. Wages for electricians are at an all time low agencies offering 10 to 12 pounds an hour for a JIB APPROVED ELECTRICIAN with 17th edition and 2391 C&G if BESNA comes in you can expect to be working for 10 pounds an hour for installing conduit,tray, trunking etc. Are all electricians aware of this?"
What are your views?
There's some background info here:
http://www.electriciansblog.co.uk/2012/01/electricians-fighting-to-keep-...
Comments
3 comments postedBefore the JIB there was absolute chaos no sparks were graded properly and the employers had only the unions to deal with ok in London! But crap deal on small firms and sparks all around the UK training often neglected or not accessible because non union, small or just belligerent company’s took advantage the JIB actually helped sparks by setting the standard and helped the customer. Now a recession that has allowed a three year pay deal that was totally out of touch with reality ie too good for us the sparks. Now leaving the JIB in a very vulnerable position because they did not react and change the rates to reflect the economic climate ie downwards.
Now the Large companies are doing it for them and we will all again be at their mercy Sparks everywhere should stick together on this its ok for the real smart 28 year old self employed to think he is invincible but being human and caring for other older or less able sparks and for youngsters to become apprentices doesn’t happen when all you think about is yourself! The self employed rates will soon tumble when you have been divided and conquered by the big boys in their suits looking to earn their bonus
Push for the JIB and the JIB need to be more flexible for every situation.
This is obviously not the whole story and other factors are involved but is still valid
neither.
I have never seen the need for it but at the end of the day we all make the most of what we have if your a good sparks you can find your own works and you dont need the protection of a union.
If you think your worth more than £10 an hour dont work for it eventually the wage would have to be put up to attract the decent sparks in.
Im 42 years old, Ive been a sparky since I left school, and ive never once needed to join the JIB, so i dont see why its that important, To me JIB membership has only ever been needed for jobs where unions are present, I'm not in a union and I have no desire as a self employed spark to join one now!