What is BATJIC?
BATJIC (The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council) is a voluntary wages and payment scheme designed for SME construction firms. It is negotiated between the FMB and UNITE the Union and provides guidance on wage rates, holidays and other employment-related payments and conditions.
FMB members can adopt the scheme in full or use it as an industry benchmark when setting their own wages and employment arrangements. Members are not required to follow the agreement, and many choose to pay above the agreed BATJIC rates.
BATJIC wage rates for 2026/27
The BATJIC 2026/27 wage rates will come into effect from Monday 10 August 2026. The agreement includes a 3.2% wage rate increase and a 3% increase in the daily fare and lodging allowances.
The daily fare and lodging allowances are included on HMRC’s list of Working Rule Agreements and can therefore be paid tax-free.
Please note that the new wages are not simply a 3.2% increase on the previous year’s figures. The rates have also been adjusted to reflect the changes to minimum wages introduced in April 2026. The 3.2% increase has been applied to the minimum wage uplift where appropriate.
To keep the guidance relevant throughout the current 2026/27 agreement will end on Wednesday 31 March 2027. A updated set of wages will come into effect from 1 April 2027 to reflect minimum wage changes.
Holiday entitlement
Under working rule 4 it is stated that seven days shall be attached to the Christmas holiday period. Traditionally in Scotland though, the Christmas and New Year holiday period consists of four public holidays and six annual leave days giving a holiday of two calendar weeks.
The suggested close for the Christmas and New Year holiday will be Monday 21 December 2026 with a return to work on Monday 4 January 2027.
Pensions
Pensions auto-enrolment rules: Under the Pensions Act 2008 employers are required to automatically enrol certain members of their workforce into a workplace pension scheme. The minimum employer contribution under pensions auto-enrolment rules can be found on The Pensions Regulator website.
BATJIC pension scheme
The BATJIC pension scheme was closed in 2012 and is now managed by Phoenix Life Limited. Enquiries about legacy BATJIC pensions should be directed to Phoenix Life Limited on 0345 600 6096 or via their online contact form.
