EMPLOYERS WARNED last night that jobs in the wider economy are under threat as a result of the nationwide strike by electricians which is set to enter its second day today.
The strike by 10,500 members of the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) halted or disrupted work yesterday and involved pickets being placed at hundreds of construction sites.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan urged the sides to move away from their existing positions in new talks involving the State’s industrial relations machinery.
The move came as the impact of the dispute began to spread from construction sites into manufacturing industry, leading to staff being placed on protective notice.
Employers’ body Ibec said some manufacturing operations may have to stop production and that companies could be forced into lay-offs. Drinks company Diageo secured a temporary High Court injunction to prevent picketing at its plant in Dublin which it said could restrict the supply of Guinness and place jobs at risk.
It is expected that other companies may seek similar injunctions.
Cadbury said it had put production workers at its plant in Coolock on protective notice. The company said its manufacturing site in Coolock had been targeted for secondary picketing by persons unknown.
“Whilst the vast majority of our employees have reported to work as normal, a small number of employee groups have not reported for work. This action has caused considerable disruption to our manufacturing activities resulting in a complete cessation of production in Coolock,” it said.
The strike, in pursuit of an 11 per cent pay increase which the TEEU says has been due for two years, resulted in work being halted or disrupted at a number of high-profile construction sites around the country. These included the second terminal at Dublin airport and the new Lansdowne Road stadium.
The union said 250 of its members at the Corrib gas pipeline project had taken part in the strike.
The TEEU said its dispute was with electrical contractor bodies, the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) and the Association of Electrical Contractors Ireland and that its members were only picketing these employers, as they were entitled to do.
The union has applied to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for an all-out picket. This is expected to be considered by congress today.
In a statement last night Ms Coughlan urged the parties “not to restate their stated positions but to explore all the options” in attempting to find a resolution.
Last night the Construction Industry Federation on behalf of the ECA said that it could not afford to pay the increases.