Result of ballot to extend industrial action due this evening

July 5th: Unite is today picketing three construction sites in Dublin as part of the industrial action which started last week.  The sites involved are two John Paul Construction sites on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay and Windmill Lane, and one Bennett’s site on City Quay. Given the interaction between construction sites, it is expected that up to nine sites could be disrupted by today’s action.

The result of a ballot on further extending the action is expected today at 5 pm.

Commenting, Unite Regional Officer for Construction Tom Fitzgerald said:

“Today is the second in a series of strike days being held by our members in pursuit of pay rises originally proposed by Unite in a draft collective agreement submitted to the Construction Industry Federation at the end of April.

“Following the CIF’s refusal to engage meaningfully with us in respect of our legitimate demands, our members have been left with no option but to take industrial action in pursuit of pay rises which reflect their level of skill and responsibility.

“At a general meeting of our members last Friday, it was decided to ballot on whether to extend the industrial action which started last week to additional sites.  The results of that ballot will be known at 5 pm this evening.

“It is time for construction workers to start sharing in the construction sector’s recovery. Since 2012, profits per employee in the sector have more than doubled, while wages are still below 2004 levels in real terms.  Unite is determined to ensure that construction jobs are decent jobs paying decent wages”, Tom Fitzgerald concluded.