Moves to improve relations in construction sector

The National Implementation Body (NIB) is to investigate how to achieve better industrial relations in the building trade, particularly among brick and block-laying workers.

The examination will be carried out by Phil Flynn and Tom Mallon and is to be completed within four months.

Both will examine the background to the pattern of industrial relations instability in the bricklaying sector and advise on how relations may be improved.

The move comes about after an intervention by the NIB led to an agreement between the Construction Industry Federation and the Building and Allied Trades Union (BATU) on new arrangements for the resolution of disputes, during the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.

This entailed guidance from the Labour Relations Commission.