Working rule agreement
Civil Engineering Procedure, 7th Edition, published by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) defines a working rule agreement (WRA) as:
| Terms of employment agreed between one or more trade unions and representatives of the employers of the members of those unions. |
WRA’s provide a guide to acceptable terms and conditions for employers and workers.
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) Working Rule Agreement is the largest such agreement in the construction industry and covers more than 500,000 workers. All 500,000 workers are covered by the minimum pay rates set out in the agreement and most are covered by the whole agreement, which includes, amongst other things, travel and fare rates.
Such agreements can help avoid industrial disputes, and simplify the process of negotiating terms between a very large number of disparate employers and workers. In addition, expenses such as travel and accommodation costs, paid to workers in accordance with a WRA, do not count as income for tax purposes.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”