Construction BUSINESS

Irish building sites face more disruption as Unite union crane drivers have voted to escalate strike action. The union previously voted in favour of strike action, however the industrial action only applied to crane drivers who were sub-contractors or who worked for non-CIF firms.

The most recent ballot was a vote on whether to picket CIF companies as well. Extending the strike action to CIF companies will likely affect many more major building projects and would cause more disruption for the sector.

Unite Regional Organiser Tom Fitzgerald told Fora that crane drivers who are Unite members voted near-unanimously to extend the strike action to CIF companies. The union claims to represent about 140 crane drivers. Fitzgerald said that there was a 70% turnout for the ballot, and only one vote was against extending the strike action.

The move sets the scene for more disruption in the construction sector once the strike notice expires next week. The strike is over pay, with crane drivers saying that they should be paid more money as the economy improves and building companies return to profitability. Unite wants crane drivers to be paid about €25 an hour.