WORKS AT up to 200 major construction sites around the country could be halted by strikes next week after talks on pay between contractors and a trade union representing some 10,500 electricians stalled last night.
The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) said it intends to proceed with a strike on Monday, notice of which was issued to electrical contractors last month, over a pay claim that would increase the electrician’s hourly rate by 11 per cent from €21.49 to €23.98 per hour.
The Electrical Contractors Association said on Wednesday that firms were not in a position to pay the increase being sought by electricians.
The strike announcement followed talks involving the groups at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) yesterday. The commission said it was unable to find a basis for discussions between the union and contractors.
Among the construction sites that could be affected by the dispute are: Terminal 2 at Dublin airport; the new Lansdowne Road stadium; the National Conference Centre at Spencer Dock and the Point Village in Dublin’s docklands; the Corrib gas project in Co Mayo and the new Intel development in Co Kildare.
Traditionally, pay in the sector has been determined by unions and employers under a registered employment agreement (REA) based on the rates of pay in 16 companies during the previous year.
However, the TEEU said that in April last year implementation of the new REA rate of €22.54 – a 4.9 per cent increase – was frustrated by challenges brought by two groups of contractors.
It said the Labour Court had ultimately proposed direct talks between unions and employers and that when the sides met, the employers had sought pay cuts.
The union previously warned, that if the strike was to go ahead, it could have a serious impact in sectors such as energy, manufacturing and construction, and could cause widespread lay-offs across the economy.
TEEU general secretary designate Eamon Devoy last night said the union would remain available for talks at the commission.
“However, in the absence of progress we have no option but to take action in defence of labour standards and skill levels within a critical sector of the economy,” he said.