Large construction sites around the country look set to be hit with a series of one-day work stoppages by plumbers, fitters and welders in the coming weeks.
The Unite trade union, which represents the workers, is to serve industrial action on employers who are members of the Mechanical Engineering and Building Services Contractors' Association (MEBSCA).
It is the national representative trade association for mechanical and electrical contractors operating in the electrical contracting and building services sector in Ireland.
The action is in pursuit of the restoration of the first hour of travel time.
It was cut following the 2008 financial crash as a supposed temporary measure, Unite said.
The union said it was supposed to be reviewed after a year, but that never took place.
"It is unacceptable that Unite members working for some of the Republic’s most profitable employers are still counting the cost of a cut imposed 14 years ago," said Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham.
If the measure were to be restored, it would result in the pay of the workers concerned rising by 12.7%.
The union members voted by over 90% in favour of industrial action earlier this month after talks with the MEBSCA broke down.
Residential construction sites are not to be targeted by the work stoppages, because of the housing crisis.
However, other large sites will be hit, the union warned, although their identities have not yet been determined.
In a statement, the Mechanical Engineering & Building Services Contractors' Association (MEBSCA) said it was "extremely disappointed" that its members were being "targeted" by the Unite trade union for additional increases in pay.
The association said it had entered into an agreement with the union eight months ago yielding pay increases for Unite members of 12.7%.
"Unite is now seeking to double this increase despite the fact that this agreement does not expire until May 2026," the statement said.
MEBSCA added that its members pay a travel allowance on top of pay.
"An agreement was entered into with Unite in 2011, which incorporated the first hour of travel into hourly rates. This agreement had the effect of increasing the hourly rate which also resulted in a higher rate being paid for overtime and holidays," it said.
"Unite is now seeking to maintain the higher rate of pay while also seeking to reverse the agreement that was freely entered into by Unite at that time."
The association said pay agreements been negotiated with all unions in the industry.
"No other union is seeking additional increases during the term of these agreements."
It called on Unite to withdraw the threat of industrial action and to use the services of the official industrial relations bodies to assist in resolving the dispute.
