Welcoming new SEO, Unite pledges to continue travel fight

January 25th: Unite today welcomed the new Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) governing the terms and conditions of mechanical workers in the construction industry.  Minister Pat Breen today accepted the Labour Court recommendation for the SEO, under the terms of which mechanical workers will receive €23.60 per hour.  Unite today pledged to build on the achievement by working to ensure that travel payments for mechanical workers are enshrined in future SEOs.

Commenting, Unite Regional Officer Tom Fitzgerald said:

“Today’s news that Minister Breen has accepted the recommended SEO is a win for mechanical workers in the construction industry.  In addition to copper-fastening mechanical workers’ position as the top earners in the sector, it provides for increased apprentice payments.

“However, Unite is disappointed that travel payments are not included in the Order.  Obviously, workers will retain the payments they currently hold under other agreements, but we will continue to fight for  travel payments to be included in future SEOs governing the sector.

“Unite was instrumental in achieving the outcome announced today, which once again illustrates the value of being collectively organised in a strong union.

“The trade union movement has long argued that construction jobs must be good jobs if the sector is to be sustainable in the long term.  This SEO goes a long way towards attaining that objective, and Unite will continue working to build on this achievement”, Tom Fitzgerald said.