Abstract: A fastening assembly for decking having a plurality of joists with planks positioned on the joists includes a spacer for positioning on a joist between adjacent planks, the spacer having a predetermined overall thickness so that the spacer serves to maintain a desired spacing between the planks. The fastening assembly includes at least one gripping member, the gripping member including opposed arms and a web that interconnects the arms, with the spacer being receivable between the arms, the spacer and the arms being configured so that when the spacer is received between the arms, the arms are driven away from each other so that free ends of the arms bear against respective adjacent sides of said adjacent planks to secure the planks to the spacer.