Unite brands employers’ call for talks “disingenuous”

Meaningful offer needed to avert further disruption

September 10th: Trade union Unite, which is in dispute with the members of the Mechanical Engineering & Building Services Contractors’ Association (MEBSCA), today warned that further disruption to major construction projects around the country is inevitable unless MEBSCA and its parent organisation, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) returns to the negotiating table and make a meaningful offer. 

Last Friday (6 September) Unite members working as plumbers, pipefitters, welders and apprentices downed tools on sites in Dublin, Kildare, Limerick and Cork in pursuit of Unite’s claim for restoration of the first hour of ‘travel time’, originally cut as an austerity measure in the wake of the financial crash.

Unite branded a call by MEBSCA/CIF for the union to engage in talks as “disingenuous” because two rounds of talks broke down when the employers refused to engage with the union’s demands and make a meaningful offer to resolve the ‘travel time’ issue. Workers have been waiting for a promised review of the travel time issue since 2011.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members are not backing down and they have their union’s full support. Resolution of this dispute remains in the hands of MEBSCA and the CIF: The ball is firmly in their court.”

Unite has now served members of MEBSCA with notice of a further day of strike action on Friday 13 September, when pickets will again be placed on selected large construction sites

Regional officer James McCabe said: “The call by MEBSCA/CIF for Unite to engage is disingenuous. In recent months we have met with them, and they refused to respect our members and engage meaningfully.

“Unite remains available for serious talks, but the employers need to make a serious offer if they want to avoid further disruption to major construction projects this coming Friday and beyond.”