National Electrical Contractors Ireland (NECI) has rejected the 5% Pay Increase that is proposed under the Electrical Registered Employment Agreement (REA).

At a meeting in the Labour Court earlier this week, the NECI held its position as stated last May, and objected to a proposed 5% (over 12 months) wage increase in the electrical contracting sector.

NECI claimed, if it was not for its decisive action, the increase would have been signed into law last April.

Of the three parties who have a say into the terms of the REA, one has now changed its position and is also objecting to the increase.

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"The other two parties are in agreement that the pay rise should proceed. NECI have no input into the REA but are none the less legally bound by its terms," said a NECI spokesman.

The proposed pay increase is almost twice what the parties to the National Wage Agreement have come up with i.e. 6% over 21 months.

NECI claimed a pay rise of this magnitude has the capability to put its members 'out of business' thereby creating 'mass job losses' in the industry.

A spokesman said: "Due to the current position regarding wage increases being taken by the CIF, NECI is at a loss to understand how one employer party to the agreement which is an affiliated member of the CIF is supporting this increase.

"The day is clearly over when the 10% of employers who actually have a say, make the decisions for the entire Industry. NECI has and will continue to be the voice of the 90% of employers who up to its formation were left out in the cold," he added.

NECI has grown to be the largest Employer Association in the Electrical Contracting Sector.

(PR)