Workers walk off Galway job site

THIRTY construction workers yesterday walked off site in a pay dispute in the latest setback to the controversial revamp of Eyre Square in Galway city.

The workers, 19 Irish and 11 Polish, claim some of the workforce were not paid last week and others were only paid part of the wages due to them. They say they will not return to work until the issue is resolved.

Talks were taking place in Galway last night to try to resolve the dispute which brought work on the Eyre Square redevelopment programme to a virtual standstill.

The workers are employed by the main contracting firm, Samuel Kingston Construction.

The Deputy Mayor has demanded an emergency meeting of the Galway City Council over what he says is the “last straw” to hit the project.

Deputy Mayor Padraig Conneely said this was the latest “shambles” to hit the project which is behind time, over-budget and has led to a major disruption of traffic and shopping in the city centre.

The 30 construction workers downed tools yesterday morning, claiming that they had not been paid by Samuel Kingston Construction.

The company refused to comment on the situation, while Galway City Council said that it was a matter for the developer.

It is understood that the workers are expected back on site today after all outstanding money is paid to them. But Mr Conneely is demanding an emergency meeting of the city council to get guarantees from the builders that the project will be finished without going further over-budget or behind time.

“The business owners in the city centre are livid and will not take much more. This is a ongoing saga which has turned into farce,” Mr Conneely said.

“Initially, it was meant to cost €6.3 million, now it’s €9 million and I fear that could rise.

“It is obvious that insufficient guarantees were received from the developers from the outset and now we have a situation where the workers are walking off site because they are not being paid properly.

“They built the Empire State Building in a year and 46 days during a recession, yet what should be a straightforward job in Galway city can take a year and a half. Somebody needs to account for this.

“Tourism suffered last year because of this mess, another season is now going to be affected. The traders have had enough and so have the people of Galway.

“The developers need to fast-track this project as Galway City Council, as promoters of it, need to put some pressure on.”