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A UNION REPRESENTING tradespeople in the construction sector has today announced it intends to serve notice of industrial action to the Mechanical Engineering & Building Services Contractors’ Association (MEBSCA).
Trade union Unite, which represents plumbers, fitters and welders on construction projects throughout Ireland, said 90% of its members had voted in favour of industrial action with the aim of restoring ‘travel time’ payment.
The action will initially comprise a series of one-day stoppages at large construction sites around the country, a union spokesperson said, adding that “while the specific sites have not yet been determined, the disputes committee has decided to exclude residential projects in light of the current housing crisis”.
“The decision to ballot for industrial action came after talks with MEBSCA broke down at the beginning of July,” Unite said in a statement.
The union said that payment of the first hour of ‘travel time’ was originally cut “as a so-called ‘temporary measure’ following the 2008 financial crash”.
“Although this cut was meant to be reviewed after a year, that review never took place,” the statement said.
Unite said that a reversal of the austerity era cut would mean an increase in gross pay of up to 12.7% “at a time of ongoing cost-of-living pressures”.
Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham said the situation was “unacceptable” and that the union’s members could count on Unite’s full support.
“Members working for some of the Republic’s most profitable employers are still counting the cost of a cut imposed 14 years ago.”
Unite’s regional officer James McCabe said: “Mechanical employers should be in no doubt regarding our members’ determination to have this cut reversed.
“Resolution of this dispute is in the employers’ hands: they can either return to the negotiating table with a meaningful offer or prepare for significant disruption.”
MEBSCA has been contacted and asked for comment.
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I don’t understand how in this day and age people, authorities and the dspca can’t see how cruel it is to make these horses live that life. Standing around city streets only able to look forward and then dragging heavy tourists around the place all day. It’s no life for the poor horses. I’m really surprised the dspca aren’t pushing to end this horrible tourist thing
@Chimo Spinola: it’s awful. they have them dragging people around busy roads around christchurch stuck behind noisy buses and trucks belching out fumes. it should be stopped immediately, i’ve never seen it in any other european city.
@Chimo Spinola: yes it’s terrible on the Brazilian’s too.
@eoin fitzpatrick: I took a 6.year climate class and I would like to ask what do you mean by belching out fumes? I don’t understand what you are saying
I have a guilty fantasy, and given that it’s after midnight I’m inclined to share: I have visions of ‘Transport Minister’ Eamon Ryan pulling a sulky containing Micky Martin and Simple Simon up Misery Hill forever (rather like the work of Sisyphus), the place where – in the halcyon days – corpses of traitors could be left on display for up to 12 months
@Marie Power: for a second I saw Ricky Martin and “She Bangs” started ringing in me head
@eoin fitzpatrick: Have you not been to southern Spain?
@Marie Power: I’d be talking to my doctor about the medication they’re prescribing me in that case. Normally I don’t remember my dreams so clearly.
@Chimo Spinola: should saddles and pony trekking be banned? Jarveys in Killarney? If properly looked after there shouldn’t be a problem. As for blinkers, they’re to stop the horses from being distracted. They’ve been in use for hundreds of years. Regulation yes, banning no.
@Chimo Spinola: If Diarmuid wanted to be a real journalist, he might consider asking real questions. Unfortunately he seems to be a useless waste of space who will never amount to anything. Such a sad and hopeless life.
@Oretani Wildlife: been to Seville, cadiz, murcia, cartagena, lots of other places never saw horses bringing people around busy roads no
@YKwkSIqW: and your life is not sad and hopeless? Seems sad and hopeless that all you do is leave comments about someone trying to make a few quid doing their job. Get a grip ya clown. Your the sad person
@Michael o Dwyer: I’m not the one getting paid pretending to be a journalist. You seem lost and confused. And trust me, my grip is very firm. You cr3tinous f00l ; )
@Michael o Dwyer: Also… what you should have typed was “you’re”. As in… You’re the sad person. The irony is probably lost on one such as yourself, lacking in intelligence as you quite obviously seem to be. Run along now, boy.
@YKwkSIqW: oh wow the grammar police. Get a grip you clown. Go out and do something productive with your day instead of being sad and angry cos your life is not going the way you wanted it to.
@Michael o Dwyer: Try taking your own advice, eejit. You seem angry. Go do a few laps… in traffic. You’ll feel better after, I promise.
@Michael o Dwyer: I’m bored of your unintelligent replies now. Best of luck!
@eoin fitzpatrick: A quick Google search of “Horse drawn carriage” London, Paris and Rome all showed the service available in each of them.
@YKwkSIqW: He is reporting on a council motion that relates to Dublin city. That is what journalists do, report what politicians are doing and planning.
Not every report will be Pulitzer Prize material.
Thats his piece he is saving for next week!
@YKwkSIqW: trying to sound like you are intelligent. Comical. Your insult from the first message sums you right up. Lol
@Michael o Dwyer: If you’re going to question the intelligence of others, try learning the difference between your and you’re. You absolute pathetic excuse for a man. Laughable.
Passed a sulky on the main road the other day. Horse looked flogged. Three kids just throwing rubbish onto the road behind them. Can’t understand how this is allowed to happen.
@Alan: You try doing it and your feet won’t touch the ground on your way to the Joy!
@Alan: why is thís treatment of the horses allowed tó happen. Are these drivers not regulated that poor horse hé didnt deserve it. Why are there nó regulations and rules.
But the horse drawn “carriages” being driven up and down the main roads every day of the week are ok though?
Culture boss
@P. V. Aglue: it isn’t. These are inner city townies doing it.
@eoin fitzpatrick: They cone from a historical line of Jarvies in Dublin. Same as in London!
Driving northbound on Gardiner St 2 nights ago driving past a bus turning left on the outside lane… boom horse drawn carriage jumps a red light and we had a perform an emergency stop… then minutes later that night up Drumcondra Rd pitch dark patch with horse drawn carriage no lights… Coldplay playing in Croker. How they evaded garda attention I don’t know. they couldn’t give a monkeys about anyone else’s safety. Both instances fully grown adults
Ok boss.
saw one of these vile individuals get down from his carriage one day in parliament street and proceed to kick his horse in the stomach because the horse wouldnt move, i was horrified as was everyone in the street… no doubt he was licensed. Wont say what I believe most of these guys are as id be slated on here but their carry on in traffic and demeanor speaks volumes. more regulation needed big time
They should have the same rules as taxis
There is absolutely no need in this day and age for animals to be “working” or to be used for our entertainment. Dairy, beef etc is still a long way off and another topic entirely. but there is no need to exploit them for gain in the tourist/entertainment industries (horses, greyhounds, dogs etc).
Killarney is disgraceful for it also. I can’t understand how stupid people are using horses, ponies and donkeys for tourism. It’s never a good thing.
Ok you lot stop horsing around
@Ned: you better rein in your comment
@Means Of Escape: Whoa
Always the cart before the horse.
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