ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV

Formal talks on replacing the controversial BESNA proposals for 6,000 M&E workers’ pay and conditions could begin within months after trade associations and the union Unite said they were exchanging proposals.

Five trade associations representing the M&E sector have submitted pay and conditions proposals to Unite, while Unite met its members this month to agree their response.

The BESNA proposals - backed by M&E firms including Balfour Beatty Engineering Services and NG Bailey - were abandoned early last year after five months of protests.

It has also emerged that Lorne Stewart has joined a group of seven M&E contractors behind the failed BESNA proposals – now meeting under the guise of the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV and Engineering Services Employers Alliance (BESEA) – to inform the pay and condition reform proposals.