Union seeking reversal of austerity-era cut to ‘travel time’

August 6th: Unite, which represents plumbers, fitters and welders working on construction projects throughout Ireland, said today (Tuesday) that members have voted by over 90% for industrial action in pursuit of restoration of the first hour of ‘travel time’. 

Members were balloted for industrial action after talks with mechanical employers (MEBSCA) broke down at the beginning of July.

Payment of the first hour of ‘travel time’ was originally cut as a so-called ‘temporary measure’ following the 2008 financial crash. Although this cut was meant to be reviewed after a year, the review never took place.

A reversal of this austerity-era cut would mean an increase in gross pay of up to 12.7 % at a time of ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

Commenting, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

“Mechanical workers are still counting the cost of austerity-era pay cuts which forced them to pick up the bill for a crisis not of their making.  Our members have been left with no choice but to take industrial action to secure restoration of the first hour of travel time, and they can count on Unite’s full and unstinting support.”

The workers’ dispute committee will be meeting in the coming days to decide on the type of industrial action to be taken.

Regional officer James McCabe said:

“Our members returned a clear mandate for industrial action after we had exhausted all other avenues to resolve the travel time issue. If employers want to avoid an autumn of disruption, I would urge them to come back to the table and negotiate a reversal of the austerity-era cut to travel time.”