News

Electricians' dispute for Labour Court

Friday, 10 July 2009 22:19

Both sides in the electricians' dispute are expected to attend the Labour Court tomorrow following a breakthrough.

The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union and the two employers' bodies, the Electrical Contractors Association and the Association of Electrical Contractors are expected to attend the Court.

It is thought the move to the Labour Court could represent the final phase in the dispute.

More than 10,000 electricians have been on strike and have closed down work at many construction sights around Ireland over the past five days.

A LRC source said all the signs were extremely positive at this stage.

Earlier, Taoiseach Brian Cowen appealed to both sides in the electricians' dispute to engage 'constructively' in the current talks' process.

Mr Cowen said the dispute reflected little credit on either side.

He was speaking after addressing delegates at the biennial conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in Tralee.

Pay has remained a central issue but there is also concern that any agreement must be sustainable and durable.

Elsewhere, Cadbury Ireland and whiskey producers Irish Distillers have been granted a extension of injunctions they received earlier this week against picketing outside their premises by electricians.

The injunctions are to continue until next Monday.