Union plans one-day strike in bid to end apprentice levy

A trade union representing about 40,000 electricians, plumbers, fitters and other craft workers is to seek a 5 per cent pay rise for members working in the mechanical and electrical contracting sectors.

The Technical, Engineering & Electrical Union (TEEU) is also planning a one-day national strike by its members in June in a bid to have removed a levy currently in place on apprentices.

The union said the student services charge on apprenticeships was as high as €2,650 per course in some instances .

The TEEU said its national executive had taken the decision regarding the pay claim and the strike “ after condemning the Government’s failure to implement the long-awaited legislation to replace the registered employment agreements system (for determining pay and conditions in a number of different sectors) struck down by the Supreme Court in May 2013, and its failure to deliver on collective bargaining promised in the 2011 Programme for Government”.

‘Build-up of anger’

TEEU general secretary Eamon Devoy said: "The absence of new structures to facilitate pay negotiations in sectors such as construction and mechanical and electrical contracting, as well as the lack of protection for workers seeking union representation in other sectors, is causing a massive build-up of anger and frustration among workers who see themselves excluded from the boost in profits employers are enjoying as the recession ends."

He said TEEU members were also angry the student services charge on apprenticeships, introduced by the Government in the 2014, had not been removed.

Claim of severe hardship

The levy, he added, had caused severe hardship, preventing some apprentices from completing their courses.

The TEEU said a one-day strike had initially been planned for June.

“If it goes ahead it could have serious implications for the economy as a whole, particularly in the energy and manufacturing sectors,” it said.

Mr Devoy maintained that companies which were paying the levy on behalf of apprentices would be exempted from industrial action.

"The TEEU has written to Ibec, the Construction Industry Federation and the Government in its capacity as an employer seeking meetings to discuss a resolution to this dispute.

“Only the CIF has so far responded and a meeting has been arranged for tomorrow (Monday)”, it said.