Employers in Newcastle are offering incentives to retain their skilled workers, in case they are lured by other companies.

AMWU organiser in Newcastle Daniel Wallace says that several companies are keen to get new collective agreements in place months before the current one expires.

“H&M Engineering have already negotiated a new agreement with very good pay increases five months before the expiry date of the current union collective agreement.”

Mr Wallace says this is quite unusual and is due to the skills shortage where good trades people are in high demand.

Another company has offered a four day week and all overtime to be paid at double time.

“This company’s EBA doesn’t expire for another two years, yet they’re offering all these incentives for no trade offs.”

Mr Wallace advises people in the Newcastle area that they should not accept anything less than the going rate and should not be trading anything off.

“If any employer is telling people they should take a cut in pay and conditions because of the financial situation or anything like that, they should call the AMWU office immediately.

“They’re spinning them a yarn.”

Mr Wallace said things were looking up for tradespeople as employers realised they needed to value their workers and do what they could to hang on to them.