Cobh Heritage Centre refuses to implement WRC recommendation after 14-year pay freeze

Posted on November 3, 2024 by unitetheunion

Publicly-funded body accused of ‘setting new standard in meanness’

Trade union Unite, which represents workers throughout the economy, today (Sunday) slammed the Cobh Heritage Centre’s decision to disregard a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) recommendation in May that a long-serving worker’s pay be increased to the Living Wage, with the increase backdated to April 2023.

Unite took the case to the WRC after the Cobh Heritage Centre – which is funded by Cork County Council – offered the union’s member a pay increase significantly lower than that offered to other workers at the centre. This followed an effective 14-year pay freeze.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is outrageous that a publicly-funded body should flagrantly disregard a recommendation made by the state’s disputes resolution mechanism and continue paying a worker well below the Living Wage. Coming on top of a 14-year pay freeze, this sets a new standard in meanness.”

Regional officer Eoin Drummey said: “The Cobh Heritage Centre has spent nearly six months sitting on the WRC recommendation while our member continues working for poverty pay after 26 years’ service.

“Unite is calling on the Cobh Heritage Centre to immediately implement the WRC recommendation in full.”

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All seven Stormont party leaders sign winter fuel payment pledge

Posted on October 27, 2024 by Unite the union NI

Party leaders unite behind union demand for the reinstatement of the winter fuel payment as a universal benefit

Retired members of Unite in Northern Ireland have scored a clean sweep of political leaders in support of their winter fuel payment campaign.

The leaders of all Northern Ireland parties: Democratic Unionist Party; the Alliance party; the Ulster Unionist party; the Social Democratic and Labour Party; the Traditional Unionist Voice and People Before Profit, have signed a pledge opposing the cutting of the winter fuel payment.

The party leaders signed the pledge which said: “This is something which we cannot in good conscience support”. By signing the party leaders jointly called on the UK government to reverse its plans to means test the winter fuel payment and for it to reinstate it as a universal benefit in the upcoming budget.

Sharon Graham general secretary of Unite said: “This is a very significant milestone in our campaign to defend the winter fuel payment. Unite is now seeking the same cross-party support in both Wales and Scotland. The UK government needs to recognise that they are standing alone in justifying this disgraceful attack on pensioners.” 

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MEBSCA dispute: WRC issues invitation to Unite and employers 

Posted on October 27, 2024 by unitetheunion

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.”

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MEBSCA dispute: Pickets set for Echelon site tomorrow

Posted on October 24, 2024 by unitetheunion

Mechanical construction workers remain determined to secure travel time restoration

Employers responsible for prolonging dispute

Unite members working for employers who belong to the Mechanical Engineering & Building Services Contractors’ Association (MEBSCA) will down tools tomorrow in a continuation of their fight to secure the reversal of the austerity-era cut to ‘travel time’. 

Pickets will be mounted from 0.01 am to 11.59 pm tomorrow (Friday 25 October) outside the Echelon DUB10 data centre project in Clondalkin where MEBSCA employers are carrying out works.

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Spirit workers still waiting for answers about their future 

Posted on October 22, 2024 by Unite the union NI

Workers have still received no answers three months after Boeing acquisition of Spirit confirmed

Secretary of state for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn yet to meet unions representing Spirit workers

Unite is calling for the workforce at Spirit Aerospace to receive firm assurances about their future. 

In July Boeing announced the acquisition of Spirit. However, Airbus intends to take over wing production lines in Northern Ireland. Yet no assurances have been given to workers, in particular those on non-Airbus production lines, leaving all workers concerned for their future.

Unite represents the majority of the 3,700 Spirit employees in Northern Ireland. It has warned that uncertainty over jobs at Spirit represents a huge threat to the wider Northern Ireland economy and its vital aerospace sector. Unite estimates that a further 7,000 workers are employed in the wider Spirit supply chain.

If the company must be sold Unite is calling for a single operator to take on all production in Northern Ireland. The union says that this is the best way to safeguard jobs, skills and the future of aerospace.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary: “It’s a disgrace that workers continue to fear for their livelihoods and their futures. Workers have been given no assurances since the takeover was announced. Unite’s commitment to defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions is absolute. We will do everything necessary to ensure the Spirit workforce is protected.”

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