Firm loses paving job after union complaints

A FIRM working on a public contract outside Cork’s City Hall has had its contract terminated following union complaints which included wage abuse.

City officials confirmed yesterday that Excel Landscapes is no longer carrying out paving works around City Hall as part of the council’s multi-million civic office project.

Under the terms of such contracts, all main contractors and sub-contractors must provide evidence of membership of recognised industry pension and sick pay schemes.

They must also pay their workers agreed Construction Industry Federation rates of pay.

SIPTU interviewed Excel workers and claimed the company was in breach of these strict public contract rules.

McGinty and O’Shea, one of the council’s biggest contractors, won the competitive tendering process for the paving work.

The firm, which is fully compliant with public contract rules, then sub-contracted the work to Excel.

But SIPTU claimed that Excel’s workers were not getting wage slips, were being paid less than agreed rates and were not getting pension contributions.

City officials acted swiftly following the complaint. They gave Excel 10 days to comply but then decided to terminate the contract.

Excel staff engaged in the paving work have now been taken on by McGinty and O’Shea to complete the work.

A council spokesman said key officials were on annual leave when the checks were being done.

However, Labour Cllr Ciarán Lynch said it highlighted the need for tighter checks and balances.

“Companies found violating the terms of public contract should be prevented from working on future contracts,” he said.