Series of one day stoppages to hit sites nationwide

Union seeking reversal of austerity-era cut to travel time

Trade union Unite, which represents plumbers, fitters and welders on construction projects throughout Ireland, said today (Sunday) that it will this week be serving notice of industrial action on employers who are members of the Mechanical Engineering & Building Services Contractors’ Association (MEBSCA).

Earlier this month members voted by over 90 per cent for industrial action in pursuit of restoration of the first hour of ‘travel time’. The decision to ballot for industrial action came after talks with 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, that review never took place.

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

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is unacceptable that Unite members working for some of the Republic’s most profitable employers are still counting the cost of a cut imposed 14 years ago. Our members can count on Unite’s full support throughout this dispute.”

At a meeting of Unite’s disputes committee, it was decided that the action will initially comprise a series of one-day stoppages at large construction sites around the country. While the specific sites have not yet been determined, the disputes committee has decided to exclude residential projects in light of the current housing crisis.

Unite regional officer James McCabe said: “Mechanical employers should be in no doubt regarding our members’ determination to have this cut reversed.

“Resolution of this dispute is in the employers’ hands: they can either return to the negotiating table with a meaningful offer or prepare for significant disruption.”