SIPTU the union and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) have announced an agreement to secure payment for two hours "greasing time" per day for crane drivers from Monday, 05 June.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Martin Meere, said: "The agreement sees the restoration of payment for greasing time and an increase from one hour to two hours. In effect this will see crane operators, who are members of SIPTU, receive a 25% increase in their basic pay. This follows many years of stagnation in pay in the construction sector. The agreement has received the unanimous support of the SIPTU Construction Sector Committee which represents workers throughout the building industry."

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SIPTU Division Organiser, Greg Ennis, said: "When securing this agreement with the CIF it was made clear that SIPTU would be pursuing claims in relation to pay and conditions of employment for other grades of construction workers once a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) has been secured for the industry.

"Both workers' representatives and the CIF are committed to the introduction of a SEO for the industry which will contribute towards stability and certainty with regard to industrial relations. Such a situation will benefit workers and employers."

(CD/LM)