Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union delegates yesterday backed the deal that provides for a basic wage rise of 5 per cent a year, or 20 per cent over four years, but also includes a healthy boost to paid overtime and other allowances.
The agreement will cover more than 30,000 workers. It allows for all overtime to be paid at double time from next March - up from the current rate at which the first two hours are paid at time and a half - lifting the overall annual wage rise to about 7 per cent. Superannuation will rise to 12 per cent.
CFMEU secretary Bill Oliver said the increased wages reflected the higher cost of living and the union would recommend that members endorse the deal at a meeting next month. "We believe it is a good outcome for our members," he said.
Mr Oliver said the deal was justified as the Victorian industry had led the way in productivity while industrial disputes were down.
"Buildings are finishing a lot quicker than they were five to 10 years ago," he said.
Mr Oliver said the four-year agreement gave employers certainty.
"Every time we negotiate an agreement, they say the sky is going to fall in." But Melbourne "has been booming along".
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