The Labour Court in Dublin will today consider an application from the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) to increase the hourly rate for electricians by €1.05.

This follows a non-binding recommendation from another division of the same Court to apply this increase to settle last July's one-week strike by electricians. The Court's recommendation was accepted by the Union and the 49 ECA members but was rejected by employer organisations representing the majority of Ireland's 5250 electrical contractors.

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The National Electrical Contractors Ireland (NECI), however, has criticised the move, saying any cost increase cannot be considered in the current economic climate, particular as electrical contractors operate in the construction industry, which has been the hardest hit.

The NECI has claimed it has been excluded from talks leading to the courts recommendation, despite repeated requests to be included. The union also said it will instruct it’s members not to recognise the Labour Court System and the Registered Employment Agreement if the increase is rubber-stamped.

(NS/BMcC)