The Mechanical Engineering and Building Services Contractors Association (MEBSCA) called for an end to picketing by Unite members employed as plumbers and fitters.
It said it has been served with notice of further industrial action on two days a week for the month of October.
Workers employed by MEBSCA contractors are holding a fourth one day strike today in a row over a travel allowance.
Unite wants the first hour of a travel expense payment restored after it was cut during the financial crash.
MEBSCA claimed that plumbers and fitters employed by its members are the highest paid workers in the construction industry and their claim is “unrealistic and unsustainable”.
It said in a statement that they have seen their pay increase by over 26pc since an agreement was reached to incorporate the first hour of travel into hourly rates.
The association said a pay agreement negotiated between Unite and MEBSCA in December last year will give a further 4.5pc increase to mechanical workers up to May 2026.
It said industrial action by Unite is causing reputational damage to the sector, which will result in job losses.
“MEBSCA is extremely disappointed that its member firms are being targeted once again by being served with notice of further industrial action by Unite to take place for two days a week for the month of October,” it said.
It said the first hour of the travel time allowance was incorporated into hourly rates of pay in 2011.
An agreement was reached at the Workplace Relations Commission between MEBSCA, Unite and Connect.
“Plumbers, pipefitters and welders employed by MEBSCA members are, therefore, being paid the first hour of travel time,” it said.
It said workers employed by non-MEBSCA companies are in receipt of lower rates of pay and are not paid a travel allowance.
Unite said yesterday that MEBSCA had made an “approach” this week, but its disputes committee decided that there will be a further full day stoppage today.
Its members voted overwhelmingly for industrial action last month.
“It is thanks to the determined action of Unite members over the past three weeks that MEBSCA has made contact,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.
She said the employers need to remember that making contact is a long way from resolving the dispute.
“This is a highly profitable sector, and our members will continue to have Unite’s unstinting support as they fight to have the first hour of ‘travel time’ restored”, she said.
Construction workers picketing at the National Children’s Hospital site have spoken of their frustration in the row over payment for travel expenses, saying “the guys are getting angrier, but they’re adamant and going to stick this out”.
Unite union members want the first hour of a travel expense payment restored after it was cut during the financial crash. Their protest at the hospital site is the latest in a series of pickets over the issue at different locations.
“The first hour of travel time was taken off workers over a decade ago at a time when people were told to tighten their belts,” said Susan Fitzgerald, regional secretary for Unite.
“The point was made at the time that it would be reviewed later. What we said consistently is that the building companies have recouped any losses – any hit they might’ve taken at stage and then some – but workers haven’t.
“Workers are still clawing back to the point that they were at when these cuts and rationalisations were made.
“We’re now saying that workers get back what was taken off them. It’s hard enough surviving today without having to chase what should never have been taken and what needs to be given back right now.
“Travel time is essential for our workers. Other people go to the same place of work every day, they know where they’re going to be Monday to Friday.
“Construction workers can be sent miles away; they can be sent around the country. Workers have been out of pocket with the loss of travel time. It’s time it was brought back: we’ve run out of patience at this stage.”
Susan Fitzgerald, regional secretary for Unite
James McCabe, regional officer for Unite, said workers are desperate for this payment as the cost of living is soaring.
“This is our fourth picket for industrial action, the guys are getting angrier but they’re showing that they’re adamant and they’re going to stick this out. They’re committed to this campaign,” said Mr McCabe.
“In 2010 when this first hour was taken away, obviously there was a financial situation, everybody suffered. But what we have seen in recent years is that the employers’ profits are skyrocketing.
“With energy prices increasing, household bills being high, insurance and car costs going up, we want this to be reinstated.”
James McCabe, regional officer of Unite
Tom Fitzgerald, regional coordination officer for Unite, said the workers want a solution, otherwise they will continue to protest.
“Construction workers, mechanical workers, plumbers and welders had a significant cut to their travel allowance. They’re required to work at different locations: you could be in Dublin today, Navan tomorrow,” he said.
“There was always an allowance to support that. It was said that it would be reviewed, but that never took place. We want the employer to come to the table and negotiate a resolution. It’s not a sustainable situation.
“When you compare and contrast having an allowance and not having an allowance, there are parking costs now, extra travel costs and you don’t have that hour.
“That has an impact on your living standards. Over a week it could cost you €120 to €130, and that’s been missing for many years despite soaring profit and massive increases in turnover. They’re well able to pay this and negotiate with the unions, and they need to do that.
“The next step hopefully is to sit down and see how we’ll resolve this. That’s the preferred next step. In the event we can’t achieve that, we’ve issued further notice for the month of October – there’s eight days in total that we’ll be back in picket lines across the country.
“We want to maximise take home pay, and there’s plenty of profit there to improve that.”
A spokesperson for the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board previously said: “As addressed with Unite, any issues or concerns regarding travel time payments to craft personnel who are employees of mechanical contractors involved on the National Children’s Hospital project should be addressed directly to BAM Building Ltd or Jones Engineering, as this is a matter entirely for those parties.”
A BAM spokesperson declined to comment on the Unite strike at the children’s hospital.
The Irish Independent also contacted MEBSCA for comment.
Tom Fitzgerald of Unite
