Talks to avoid electricians' strike collapse

04/07/2009 - 17:19:16
Around 10,000 electricians look set to strike after talks between electrical contractors and the TEEU at the Labour Relations Commission failed to reach agreement.

The two sides were at the meeting this afternoon, in the hopes of reaching an agreement that would avert the strike action planned for Monday.

The electricians are due to down tools in the ongoing row over pay and conditions, with the TEEU looking for an 11% pay rise, while contractors want a 10% wage reduction.

Employers groups and contractors said they were willing to negotiate at today's meeting but that they simply do not have the money to fund any pay increases at this time.

“When people are taking reductions in wages... to be going after an 11% increase certainly doesn't make sense," said Eddie Keenan, Director of Industrial Relations with the Construction Industry Federation.

“We're prepared to talk about it, we're prepared to deal with all the issues they have - we're certainly not in a position to pay money.”

Speaking just after the talks broke down, General Secretary Designate of the TEEU, Eamon Devoy rejected this, saying that there was nothing put to them to negotiate.