Union agrees pause in industrial action pending engagement

Unite, which has been in a trade dispute with employers belonging to the Mechanical Engineering & Building Services Contractors’ Association (MEBSCA) since early September, has accepted an invite to talks from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). 

The dispute centres on Unite’s claim for restoration of the first hour of ‘travel time,’ which was cut in the wake of the 2008 financial crash.

The WRC has invited both parties to exploratory talks to establish if circumstances exist for a pathway forward.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite members have been steadfast in their determination to secure the reversal of cuts inflicted during the financial downturn. They will continue to have their union’s full support in this fight.”

Unite’s disputes committee has decided to suspend further industrial action pending talks at the WRC in order to facilitate meaningful engagement.

Regional officer James McCabe said: “Unite has always been available for talks with the employers on the issues impacting on our members. We now look forward to engaging to resolve this dispute.”