Trade People Strike For Restoration Of First Hour Of Travel Time
A trade people strike is being planned in an effort to restore the first hour of travel time. The trade people of Ireland, which include plumbers, fitters and welders, at large construction sites are looking for a one-day work stoppage series.
The action is planned to revive the first hour of travel time which was the rule forbidden during the 2008 financial crisis in Ireland.
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The United Trade Union of Ireland, which represents the working class in industries, is serving the same purpose on behalf of all trade people. The union would take action against the employers who are members of the Mechanical Engineering and Building Services Contractors’ Association (MEBSCA).
This association is for all the mechanical as well as electrical contractors who are hired for large construction projects, particularly for the contracting and building services in Ireland.
The United Trade Union said that the first hour of travel time rule was never restored even after being promised following the review one year later. Although the cut was meant to be temporary, the trade people strike is for its renewal request which was never talked about in the subsequent years.
Shanon Graham’s reason for trade people strike
The Unite trade union’s general secretary, Sharon Graham said, “It is unacceptable that Unite members working for some of the Republic’s most profitable employers are still counting the cost of a cut imposed 14 years ago”.
It is expected that if the measure is restored, there will be a 12.7 per cent rise in the pay of the current workers.
Over 90% of union members cast ballots in favour of the rule’s reinstatement. The voting took place earlier in the month when the discussion with MEBSCA was already in the running.
The union clarified that residential work stoppage would not be observed and the trade people strike would only be targeted for the larger construction sites. The nullification of the residential work stoppage is taken due to the ongoing housing crisis in Ireland.
After the union had decided on the strike, the names of the targeted people were not disclosed yet.
MEBSCA stated that it was “extremely disappointed” for the targeting of its members over a restoration of a rule, just for the sake of additional increases in the pay for the United Trade Union.
MEBSCA also revealed that Unite is only asking for the restoration despite knowing that the rule “does not expire until May 2006”.
The association assured that an agreement was locked with the union eight months ago where they already confirmed a 12.7 per cent increment in Unite members’ pay. Additionally, MEBSCA disclosed that it already pays a travel allowance for the workers who come to work after travelling a considerable distance.
The association further explained that the agreement was made in 2011 that included the rates of the first hour of travel time, as per hour. The agreement clearly indicated the hourly rate would be increased which included overtime and holidays as well.
The association is of the view that Unite is seeking a double pay raise and asking for a reverse of the rule simultaneously. The association argued that Unite freely entered the terms and conditions of the rule at that time after knowing its details.
MEBSCA emphasised that pay raises are being negotiated with all the unions of the industry so that a collective bargain is reached that could serve as a win-win situation for all.
It said, “No other union is seeking additional increases during the term of these agreements”.
MEBSCA states that Unite should withdraw from its request and use it as a threat of work stoppage for the industry as it seems an unfair means of resolving the dispute at present.
