Strike set to leave many cranes unmanned on Thursday

Many of the construction cranes currently dotting skylines across the State could be left unmanned on Thursday as Unite trade union operators strike in an attempt to secure pay increases.

The action will come as a blow to the construction sector in which business has been increasing after the economic recession and collapse in building activity.

As of the beginning of June, The Irish Times monthly crane survey counted 70 of the towers visible in the capital, a 6 per cent increase on the previous month and 106 per cent on February, 2016.

Unite, which claims to represent 90 per cent of the country’s drivers, said a series of actions would be taking place.

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It said the action was being initiated "in pursuit of pay rises originally proposed by the union in a draft collective agreement submitted to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) at the end of April".

“The move follows a failure by employers to engage meaningfully with the union and a ballot of Unite members in the sector which resulted in an overwhelming mandate for industrial action.”

The union said notice served to employers at the beginning of last week had expired and rolling strikes were likely. There would be a subsequent general members’ meeting on Friday “which will decide on further actions over the coming weeks”.

The CIF could not be reached for comment on Wednesday night.

Siptu, which says it represents 147 tower crane operators, said that following months of negotiations it had secured an increase of 25 per cent for all crane operators by way of a negotiated restoration of a two hours per day “greasing allowance payment” applicable since June 5th.