Electricians set to press ahead with strike action

More than 10,000 electricians across the country look set to proceed with strike action from next Monday as part of a pay dispute with their employers.

The Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union has arranged the strike in pursuit of an outstanding 11% pay increases due under a national agreement for the electrical sector.

It says electrical contractors are not only reneging on the agreement, but are pushing for a 10% pay cut and the scrapping of shift pay and apprenticeship rates.

The contractors, meanwhile, have threatened to place electricians on protective notice if the strike action goes ahead on Monday.

The Labour Relations Commission held talks with both sides yesterday, but failed to find any basis for negotiations.