SIPTU representatives have served notice for industrial action on gas network infrastructure company, GMC Civil and Mechanical Engineering, which will include one-day work stoppages on Friday, 19th and 26th May, in a dispute concerning pay and protecting conditions of employment. SIPTU Organiser, Andrew McGuinness, said: “Our members have been forced to take industrial action in this dispute due to the company frustrating attempts to find a just resolution during 18 months of talks concerning a claim for a pay increase and the protection of workers’ conditions of employment. “The industrial action will take the form of one-day work stoppages from 7.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on 19th May and 26th May. It will also include a work to rule including no working of overtime on the same two weekends. There will also be a withdrawal of some ‘second response’ emergency cover during these periods. “These workers provide an essential service maintaining and developing our gas infrastructure. They realise that taking this industrial action will inconvenience the public and could cause disruption to gas supplies.” He added: “However, they have been left with no option as their claim for a pay rise in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis has been frustrated by the company since it took over the contract for Gas Networks Ireland in 2021. The company was fully aware of the 5% annual pay increase claim prior to taking up this contract and have failed to address it.” SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “These are skilled workers who play a central role in energy supply in our country. Like all workers and their families in Ireland they are suffering the severe effects of a worsening cost of living crisis. They need the company to take seriously their legitimate claim for a pay rise and enter into serious meaningful negotiations. “Our members have had to stay focused on their important job of serving the public despite the company unilaterally imposing changes to their terms and conditions of employment after taking up the contract in 2021.” GMC Civil and Mechanical Engineering operates the Gas Networks Ireland contract for the maintenance of gas supply in the Republic of Ireland. This dispute will include the placing of pickets on five GMC depots across the country including two in Dublin, as well as Cork, Limerick and Carlow.
SIPTU serves notice of two work stoppages on GMC engineering during May
