Electricians vote in favour of action

Electricians in the contracting sector have voted overwhelmingly in favour of State-wide industrial action over pay rates. The action would involve up to 6,000 electricians in the construction, manufacturing and service industries, making it one of the largest private sector disputes of recent years.

In a ballot of members of the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU), 95 per cent voted in favour of industrial action, a decision endorsed over the weekend by the organisation's executive. Union officials will decide tomorrow what form the industrial action should take, but they said all-out strike appeared the most likely option.

"While it's up to Tuesday's meeting to decide the form of industrial action taken in pursuit of these outstanding claims, it is likely to be a sustained all-out stoppage rather than initial token stoppages, given the mood of the members," said Mr Davy Naughton, the TEEU's national industrial officer.

Members were balloted on two grievances: the non-payment of the once-off, 1 per cent increase for inflation due under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and the failure of employers to agree a new sectoral rate. This was due to take effect in April, when it would have become legally binding for the entire electrical contracting industry.