In a move that could significantly hit construction sites in Ireland, a trade union representing plumbers, fitters and welders across the country has announced that a series of one-day work stoppages will be implemented in the coming weeks.
In a statement, trade union Unite said its members voted by over 90 per cent for the industrial action, demanding the restoration of the first hour of ‘travel time’.
Payment of the first hour of ‘travel time’ was originally cut as an austerity measure in the wake of 2008 financial crash. However, this was meant to be reviewed after a year, which the union said never took place.
“A reversal of this austerity era cut would mean an increase in gross pay of up to 12.7 per cent at a time of ongoing cost-of-living pressures,” it said.
While the action will comprise a series of one-day stoppages at large construction sites around the country, the union has decided to exclude residential projects in light of the current housing crisis.
The decision to ballot for industrial action came after talks with the Mechanical Engineering and Building Services Contractors’ Association broke down at the beginning of July.
“Resolution of this dispute is in the employers’ hands: they can either return to the negotiating table with a meaningful offer or prepare for significant disruption,” the union warned.