Plumbers’ pay deal nears completion

IN spite of the controversy in a number of industry sectors over the binding agreements which set pay and conditions, negotiations are almost complete on the introduction of a new agreement for 4,000 plumbers, fitters and welders.

In the electrical industry, employers are threatening to withdraw from the binding Registered Employment Agreement (REA) which sets the terms for more than 10,000 electricians. There is a deep sense of unease among construction unions over a Labour Court recommendation for a 7.5% cut in the rates in its REA.

Nonetheless, according to Industrial Relations News, (IRN) the employers and unions of the workers in the plumbing fitting and welding sectors are well advanced in their negotiations on binding terms.