Electricians to down tools

Some of the country’s largest construction projects are expected to face serious disruption today as almost 11,000 electricians down tools in a row over pay.

The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) said Dublin Airport’s Terminal 2, the new Lansdowne Road Stadium and the National Convention Centre are among those that will be hit.

The strike is set to impact on construction sites around the country after last-ditch talks at the Labour Relations Commission collapsed at the weekend.

Workers say they are owed as much as an 11% pay rise from three years ago which was never paid, while employers have disputed the claim and are demanding a 10% cut in wages.

The industrial action has already threatened to escalate as Ireland’s largest trade union Siptu waded in to the row to declare it would back an all-out picket.

Siptu general president Jack O’Connor vowed to strongly recommend his members support the strike if the TEEU asks for an all-out action through the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

“Ultimately the electricians must be supported by all workers because the employers’ objective of cutting pay and tearing up agreements reflects the primary aim of the wealthy elite in our society, which is, above all else, to preserve their own assets and privileged position,” he said.

TEEU general secretary designate Eamon Devoy said other unions as well as Siptu have also indicated they too would support the strike.

“People are realising that if the electrical contractors get away with tearing up the Registered Employment Agreement for our sector the same can happen in other industries,” he said.

Chris Lundy, executive secretary of the Association of Electrical Contractors, said it was “absolute rubbish” that employers were not willing to talk with the unions.

Firms were willing to look at the pay claims but there were many other issues and a “major inability” to up wages in the present economic circumstances, he insisted.