HVCA has withdrawn its proposals for the new BESNA M&E contract reforms days after Balfour Beatty withdrew from the reforms.

"As a result of today's decision by HVCA, Unite has agreed not to pursue further industrial action or protests against the Besna companies.


"HVCA, supported by its member companies, will now engage in high-level talks with Unite within an agreed timeline, with the aim of creating new proposals and ensuring agreed terms are honoured."


Last week Balfour Beatty Engineering Services, the biggest of seven contractors planning to introduce new contracts, announced its withdrawal in the face of union protests on both sides of the Atlantic.


NG Bailey has now followed Balfour Beatty's lead, declaring the new contracts to be now "untenable".


Both companies are leading lights of the Heating & Ventilation Contractors Association, which drew up controversial new employment conditions called the Building Engineering Services National Agreement (BESNA).