Building dispute hits Croke Park

An unofficial picket may be placed on Croke Park today by the 80 general operatives who walked off the construction site of the…

An unofficial picket may be placed on Croke Park today by the 80 general operatives who walked off the construction site of the new Cusack stand yesterday. Work on the stand was expected to be completed for the All-Ireland finals in September.

The dispute, over a delay in completing a pay grading review, worsened yesterday when the men, who work for the builders John Sisk, returned after the traditional builders' holiday. The review, undertaken by the Construction Industry Federation, was first expected to be completed by last Christmas, and then by April.

SIPTU sources said last night that the mood among the men was militant and warned of an escalation of the dispute.