feature NAECI
NAECI DEAL COURSE
Following a request from Unite’s Construction sector Unite Education developed a Change at Work course for senior reps focusing on the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI).
The NAECI sets comprehensive terms and conditions of employment for hourly-paid engineering construction workers and is nearly 40 years old. Unite is a signatory, and part of the National Joint Council for the Engineering Construction Industry (NJC) which oversees how operation of the NAECI works, undertaking periodic reviews of rates and other terms and conditions.
So it’s important that Unite construction reps fully understand the workings of the NAECI. This importance was underlined by an agreement negotiated earlier in 2024 when thousands of engineering construction workers benefited from a two-year pay rise worth a minimum of 17.4 per cent, following a Unite campaign.
The deal was negotiated after 3,000 Unite NAECI members, who carry out essential repair and maintenance at oil refineries, power stations and pharmaceutical and petro-chemical plants, were balloted and ready for strike action.
The agreement was not just about pay, and included improvements to
sickness and accident benefit along with pension, productivity nd apprenticeship reviews.
At the time Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This outstanding deal was achieved because our members knew the NAECI employers could not ignore their demands if they acted collectively.”
In November a group of senior Unite reps and activists attended the first course. This was held at Unite’s hotel and education centre in Eastbourne and organised by the Unite national education team in conjunction with the Unite Construction sector.
Unite political education officer Barry Faulkner designed the course after discussions with the sector and Unite’s engineering construction members to find out exactly what they wanted.
The course was for union activists who work under the NAECI agreement, focusing on the agreement and other associated documents and how best to use those agreements to win for workers in the
sector.Barry said, “As well as understanding the agreements the course covered building representational and negotiation skills in order to ensure we make best use of the procedures in place under the agreement to resolve disputes.”
34 unite buildingWORKER Spring 2025 ‘‘
New course helps reps get to grips with NAECI
“The reps were the experts in this room and we focused on bringing out the enormous experience they have gained from working in the sector as union activists.”
As with all Unite courses, attendees shared knowledge, skills and experience freely whilst learning from examples of best practice.
Unite tutor Kenny Gillespie from Scotland delivered the course, and over the week reps also explored cases of where Unite had won for members and how they can continue to fight for decent terms and conditions.
The course gave delegates the opportunity to work through a series of focused activities and hear from guest speakers to learn how NAECI works.
The reps were the experts in this room and we focused on bringing out the enormous experience they have gained from working in the sector as union activists
Barry Faulkner, Unite political education officer
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