Electrical firms back pay proposals

THE ELECTRICIANS’ dispute is nearing a resolution following a decision by the main contractors’ body to accept proposals put forward by the Labour Court.

The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA), which represents about 45 of the biggest contractors, agreed yesterday to accept the recommendations, which provide for a pay increase of 4.9 per cent in two phases, comprising a 2.5 per cent increase on September 1st and 2.4 per cent from January 1st.

Last week the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) staged a five-day strike, which closed most of the major building sites in the country.

The union claimed the ECA and the Association Of Electrical Contractors (Ireland) reneged on the Registered Employment Agreement, which has been in place in the industry for decades.

The union said its members were due an 11.3 per cent increase: 4.9 per cent from April 1st, 2008, and another 6.4 per cent from April 1st this year.

The Labour Court settled on a recommendation of a 4.9 per cent increase, which is non-binding on employers.

The TEEU executive, which meets this evening, agreed unanimously to accept the Labour Court recommendations, but has reserved the right to resume strike action if all electrical contractors do not abide by it.

The AECI, which represents about 300 smaller contractors, said its members will be given a vote on the proposals at a general meeting on Saturday in Portlaoise.

AECI executive producer Chris Lundy said it was a trade association and would be making no recommendation to members on whether or not to accept the proposals.

Mr Lundy said AECI members will not be asked to vote on Saturday; they will be given until next week to make up their minds.

“We will just give them the facts and let them make up their own minds. It will be a commercial decision,” he said.