As construction workers across the country take strike action, Andrew Keegan and John Whipple explain what the dispute is about and why it is important that other workers support the action.
Unite the Union (Ireland) has served a strike notice to the Mechanical Engineering and Building Services Contracting Association (MEBSCA) for the return of travel payments on the first hour of the working day. The Mechanical Engineering branch of Unite voted 90% for the return of the travel time pay which was cut over 14 years ago as a temporary, austerity-era measure.
To say that Unite members have been patient is an understatement. Discussions broke down with employers last July and this was seen by the members of the union as the last straw.
Employer Spin
Employers have claimed that the 12% pay agreement agreed to this year included the issue of travel time. But Unite stated that this was not the case: travel time was and is a separate issue.
It is important to note that MEBSCA see dealing with just one union puts them in a stronger position than if they were facing a group of construction unions (including Connect and SIPTU). This is why they are playing hardball on the issue.
Travel Time, ‘Wet Pay’, and Subsistence Pay have always been separate issues, just like Safe Pass provision – which is free, if you are union member. It is not directly related to your pay. Travel Time was cut in 2008 following the financial crash. The union and its members feel that they waited in good faith for long enough – now is the time for its restitution.
Whose Time?
The Travel Time allowance was originally introduced in the 1960s and reflects the fact that construction workers have no fixed working place. Many workers take more than one hour going to and from work and Travel Time, in most cases, does not fully cover the cost of their travel.
Travel Time is not a trivial matter, certainly not to the employers or Unite union members. Being in receipt of compensation for the first hour of travel to your workplace officially recognises the fact that as soon as you step out your door, you are on company time.
This is important, because should something untoward happen, on your way to work, your company bears responsibility for your wellbeing at that point of time and not just only when
you are on site. It is this responsibility that the employers are trying to get out of, by stating that the cost of travel was included, but not mentioned, in the recent pay agreement.
No fight too small
The devil is in the detail, but a win on this issue would be an important marker for the
possibility of the return of other pay and condition issues in the industry. It could rejuvenate the image of all unions in the eyes of workers in all sectors, especially those with little or no history of union membership.
It is heartening to see a union understanding that the small issues are not so small, especially if they mean to improve conditions overall for their membership. And more importantly, taking action leads to a growth in membership numbers and power.
Unite does not exist in a bubble. It is a member of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) which has sister construction unions – Connect, SIPTU and other unions. This action could strengthen all unions in the construction industry.
Past Wins
Unite members have fought on Travel Time before, specifically at the Intel and Pfizer sites in Leixlip in March 2023, leading to a High Court injunction stopping further strike action at the request of the employer. Significantly, Unite decided to challenge the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court. This presented a high risk for the union but one that paid off for the entire Irish trade union movement when the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the union’s case against the High Court’s improper injunction.
Action Needed – Not More Words
It would seem from various statements that the leadership of ICTU and their construction branch members are verbally in support of Unite members’ upcoming action. But to date no other union with construction members has actively joined Unite in the Travel Time dispute.
It would seem that the reaction of Congress’ other construction branches is nothing more than patting on the head for the Unite leadership and slapping of the back for their working members. They are not doing too much else. Why not get their own construction members on board and organise for them to join the fight?
A united union campaign, including construction workers in other unions, increases the likelihood of winning back the Travel Time allowance. However, with the leadership of other unions sitting on the sidelines, it is harder for rank and file members to join the strike action.
A Victory for All
It also makes it harder for Unite’s members to gain a victory while making it easier for the employers to resist. Moreover, if Unite wins on this issue, it becomes easier for the other unions to demand the same from the employers and for all construction workers to secure better conditions and pay in the future.
Members of other unions, instead of watching Unite go on strike, should start pushing their own union leaderships to call strike action – this is the best way to secure the victory.
Union members will compare how their leaders strategise and fight. An example of this occurred with Unite and SIPTU at Tara Mines 12 months ago, before the recent temporary closure.
All union members in construction should not only support Unite construction workers but pressure their own union leaders to see that this fight really is their fight.
Solidarity to all workers in dispute and remember it is up to you, the membership, to pressure your leaders into action. Unite behind this fight. Let’s be “All in for the win”.
————–
Andrew Keegan is a construction worker, teacher, and former People Before Profit Councillor for Dublin. He is co-founder of Building Workers: Know Your Rights. John Whipple is the trade union organis
