LRC talks aim to avert strike by electricians

TALKS TO avert a strike by more than 10,000 electricians are to begin at the Labour Relations Commission this morning.

The union representing electricians, the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU), yesterday accepted an invitation to attend the talks. The union has served strike notice to come into effect from Monday in pursuit of a pay claim of more than 11 per cent.

The 10,500 TEEU members have not had a pay increase for more than three years, the union has said.

TEEU general secretary designate Eamon Devoy welcomed the LRC intervention as “nobody wants a major dispute”. However, it was “completely unacceptable” for employers to “walk away from their responsibilities.”

If the planned strike at up to 200 major construction sites goes ahead electricians face being placed on protective notice.

The Electrical Contractors Association has said firms were not in a position to pay the increase of 11.3 per cent being sought by electricians. The association, which represents about 50 of the State’s larger electrical contractors, says industrial action is completely unwarranted when the industry is in turmoil.

A strike could significantly affect the energy, manufacturing and construction sectors of the economy, according to the TEEU.

Mr Devoy said employers also wanted to cut wages by 10 per cent, to cut apprentice pay and to allow unqualified employees to carry out electrical work which would lead to “serious deskilling of the workforce”.