The Unite trade union has warned of possible future industrial action in the construction and mechanical sector following the striking down of a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO).
SEOs cover rates of pay, sick pay, and pensions across specific sectors and set legally binding obligations for employers.
The Mechanical Sectoral Employment Order was challenged in the High Court and today the Minister for Employment agreed that the court can strike down the SEO over an "invalid" pension scheme requirement for plumbing and heating contractors.
Unite said that any attempt to cut pay and conditions following the collapse of the SEO is likely to be met by industrial action.
"Not only do all workers' contracted terms and conditions of employment remain in force, it has now become significantly easier for workers in the mechanical sector to take industrial action," said Unite Regional Coordinating Officer Tom Fitzgerald.
"Unite is putting employers on notice, any attempt to reduce our members’ terms and conditions will be swiftly met with ballots for industrial action," Mr Fitzgerald said.
"We are consulting our members regarding a strategy to improve pay and conditions across the mechanical sector, and employers should be aware that we will not hesitate to use the new freedoms afforded by the collapse of the SEO to take action in pursuit of our members’ interests," he added.
