National Minimum Wage increase sets stage for 2004 NCJ rates

Responding to the minimum wage increase, Nick Jones, RMI human resources director, said: “The Government's decision to increase the national minimum wage will affect the industry's NJC Agreement on minimum pay rates. The rate for unindentured junior employees aged 18 will rise immediately from its current level of £3.60 to £3.80 per hour. Those few adult employees on the bottom grades of the NJC pay scales will rise from £4.20 to £4.50 per hour.”

Jones adds: “Negotiations on revised NJC pay rates for unindentured junior employees aged 16 and 17 years, apprentices, and adult employees will begin in November to take effect on 1 January 2004 and these negotiations will take account of the new national minimum wage rates.'