Employers’ bid to quit deal sparks strike fears

THE country’s largest group of electrical employers has applied to withdraw from the legally-binding agreement which sets pay and conditions for 10,000 workers in the industry – sparking fears of crippling strikes.

At present the rates of pay and working conditions for electricians are governed by a Registered Employment Agreement (REA) under the auspices of the Labour Court. The figures pertaining to that agreement are set by a National Joint Industrial Council made up of the two main employer groups – the Association of Electrical Contractors Ireland (AECI) and the Electrical Contractors Association – as well as the workers’ trade union the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union.

However, now AECI want to withdraw from the REA.