Amicus has struck a pay deal with the Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association giving craftsman 拢25,000 a year.
The agreement, which runs from next month until October 2006 introduces a minimum national rate of 拢10 an hour.

The deal also involves increases in overtime premium payments and daily travelling allowances. Workers within the M25 will also be able to claim a higher daily travelling allowance from 2005.

The lodging allowance has risen from 拢25.75 to 拢26.50 a night and the mileage rate goes up from 12.5p to 20p a mile in October 2004.

Joint working parties will explore pension provision arrangements and the question of a reduction in the working week.

Peter Rimmer, HVCA head of employment affairs, said: "The establishment of an hourly rate of 拢10 for qualified craftsmen will reward those in the industry 鈥� and help to attract recruits."

The agreed overtime premium payments are: 3.5% from Monday, 4.5% from 4 October 2004 and 5.1% from 3 October 2005.