TEETU Dispute with the Electrical Contractors (REA's etc)

[johnd]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

I'm kicking myself I didn't become a trade union activist when I had the chance years ago. Those of us involved in the union were given the change to go the College of Industrial Relations Ranelagh for a one year course. If that was successful then a 3 year course was an option which could eventually lead to a job in the union. I could have been earning €150,000 a year now. I don't think I would have suited a beard though - not with the glasses I have to wear - or the hearing aid.

 

[thedaras]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

I'm kicking myself I didn't become a trade union activist when I had the chance years ago. Those of us involved in the union were given the change to go the College of Industrial Relations Ranelagh for a one year course. If that was successful then a 3 year course was an option which could eventually lead to a job in the union. I could have been earning €150,000 a year now. I don't think I would have suited a beard though - not with the glasses I have to wear - or the hearing aid.

Just curious, what type of course was this?

1) how to screw your employer and get away with it

2) how to frustrate any type of change and get away with it

3) how to strike in a recession and get away with it

4) how to grow a beard?

5)how to go on strike in a recession for a week,demanding an 11% pay increase ,and then be happy with half of that.

6) HOW TO MAKE UP FOR THE 800E PLUS YOU LOST DURING THE WEEKS STRIKE IN JUST OVER A YEAR...

feel free to add your own,

 

[Complainer]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

I'm kicking myself I didn't become a trade union activist when I had the chance years ago. Those of us involved in the union were given the change to go the College of Industrial Relations Ranelagh for a one year course. If that was successful then a 3 year course was an option which could eventually lead to a job in the union. I could have been earning €150,000 a year now. I don't think I would have suited a beard though - not with the glasses I have to wear - or the hearing aid.

Yeah, cos it is just that easy. No-one in the union ever had to work hard, or take a posting in the back of beyond to get a promotion, or work through difficulties created by their own employer (TU's are notoriously bad employers, btw), or compete with their own colleagues. They just walk in and say 'give me €150k please' - right?

 

[thedaras]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

Yeah, cos it is just that easy. No-one in the union ever had to work hard, or take a posting in the back of beyond to get a promotion, or work through difficulties created by their own employer (TU's are notoriously bad employers, btw), or compete with their own colleagues.

They just walk in and say 'give me €150k please' - right?[

/quote]

Gosh not at all!!

They wouldnt say please,they would DEMAND it, look for 200k and then moan they only got 150k,and make out that its a huge sacrifice ..

 

[Complainer]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

Devoy may have won the fight but he has lost the war,watch that space!

At the end of the the day, Devoy has not got what he wanted, ie the 11% ,and in fact half of that wont be paid for a few months and the other half next year.

I have heard it said several times today that the dispute is off as builders are going on holidays on Friday ,watch that space too.

Now if I were a union member and I lost a weeks pay i.e. in electricians case about €800 a week and I ended up with not the 11% the leader has been shouting for but in fact half of that, and half of that again not being paid till 2010, well I figure it would take me a year to gain back the money I have lost on the strike,so I wouldn't be too happy with Devoy and co. Again watch that space.

So much for the unions, laughable.

Wonder if the union will look for an increase in their subs now that apparently Devoy is getting a 27% pay increase, definitely watch that space.

But no criticism of the employers who came in looking for a 10% cut and ended up with a 5% increase. No problem with their actions or behaviour - right?

 

[thedaras]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

But no criticism of the employers who came in looking for a 10% cut and ended up with a 5% increase. No problem with their actions or behaviour - right?

Trying to protect the jobs that are in the country ,by looking for pay freeze and pay cuts is hardly bad behavior in a recession now is it?

Anyhow the reality is the 5% the electricians will get over the next 6 months will in fact ,not be any use to them for another 12 or more months due to the weeks strike costing them 800e.

And the reality is there will be more jobs lost so less staff to pay the 5% "increase" too.

And how much has/will it cost the union?A lot less subs coming in.
Devoy shouting and screaming for 11% did not work!!

IMHO the employers have won the war,devoy has won the battle,oh and a 27% increase for his troubles...great job,the electricians go on strike for a pay rise of 11%,lose 800e plus,get a 5% increase over the next six months and take a year to make up the loss,more electricans lose jobs,and the message Ireland sends to the world ? ah
yes wonderful job mr Devoy...well done..

 

[Purple]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

Trying to protect the jobs that are in the country ,by looking for pay freeze and pay cuts is hardly bad behavior in a recession now is it?

Anyhow the reality is the 5% the electricians will get over the next 6 months will in fact ,not be any use to them for another 12 or more months due to the weeks strike costing them 800e.

And the reality is there will be more jobs lost so less staff to pay the 5% "increase" too.

And how much has/will it cost the union?A lot less subs coming in.
Devoy shouting and screaming for 11% did not work!!

IMHO the employers have won the war,devoy has won the battle,oh and a 27% increase for his troubles...great job,the electricians go on strike for a pay rise of 11%,lose 800e plus,get a 5% increase over the next six months and take a year to make up the loss,more electricans lose jobs,and the message Ireland sends to the world ? ah
yes wonderful job mr Devoy...well done..

Well said, you have summed things up very well and no amount of defensive posturing from the wittering bearded ideologues will change reality.

 

[Purple]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

But no criticism of the employers who came in looking for a 10% cut and ended up with a 5% increase. No problem with their actions or behaviour - right?

Wow... I know things are different in socialist utopia land but here in the real world if companies’ pay more in wages than they can afford they go out of business. The employer side are trying to stop the unions closing down yet another industry, what blame are you talking about?

 

[Complainer]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

Trying to protect the jobs that are in the country ,by looking for pay freeze and pay cuts is hardly bad behavior in a recession now is it?

Anyhow the reality is the 5% the electricians will get over the next 6 months will in fact ,not be any use to them for another 12 or more months due to the weeks strike costing them 800e.

And the reality is there will be more jobs lost so less staff to pay the 5% "increase" too.

And how much has/will it cost the union?A lot less subs coming in.
Devoy shouting and screaming for 11% did not work!!

IMHO the employers have won the war,devoy has won the battle,oh and a 27% increase for his troubles...great job,the electricians go on strike for a pay rise of 11%,lose 800e plus,get a 5% increase over the next six months and take a year to make up the loss,more electricans lose jobs,and the message Ireland sends to the world ? ah
yes wonderful job mr Devoy...well done..

Just a slightly one-sided view there, I have to say. I know very little about this particular dispute, but I do know that personalised criticism of Devoy for coming out with 5% less that his opening position, while ignoring Parlon's 'lunartics' comment and the employers coming out with 15% less than their opening position is not exactly a balanced critique. Let's face facts here - you just don't like unions, and you take offence that any employees should use their collective bargaining power.

 

[Purple]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

I can’t speak for Thedaras but maybe it’s a dislike for people who are willing to damage the long term prospects of the people they represent (and in the case of the high-priests of the bearded brethren in their tower overlooking the capital damaging the prospects of the whole country) in order to further their own selfish ends.

 

[thedaras]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

I can’t speak for Thedaras but maybe it’s a dislike for people who are willing to damage the long term prospects of the people they represent (and in the case of the high-priests of the bearded brethren in their tower overlooking the capital damaging the prospects of the whole country) in order to further their own selfish ends.

As the teenagers say " what he said".

Couldnt have put it better myself.

Will add that I think only a lunatic would look for an increase in wages and strike for a week in a recession .

Still wonder if the electricans did maths during their courses,Im not being smart here,but really if they thought it through and realised that it would take over a year to get the weeks wage loss back,would they have gone on strike?And if they contuine to strike,well ,do the math!!

 

[thedaras]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

For anyone in doubt as to the cost of this strike to the ecomony,,
It is estimated that last week's strike may have cost the economy almost €230m.

 

[secman]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

The assumption here is that the 4.9% increase will be sanctioned ! Of the 4 employer bodies in the dispute only one, namely the ECA have sanctioned the increase. Long way to go yet.

Secman

 

[Deiseblue]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

The employers were seeking a wage reduction of 10% whereas the TEEU were seeking a wage increase of 11 % - the two positions could hardly have been more polarised !
The basis by which most disputes are resolved is compromise , the TEEU and it's members knew that they were never going to get an increase of 11% no more then the contractors were going to secure a reduction of 10%.
It would appear therefore that a 4.9% increase suited both parties, I think that this was illustrated by the fact that such an increase was agreed by the two parties involved at the LRC on Friday last with the increase merely rubber stamped by the Labour Court the following day.

 

[secman]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

4.9% suited TEEU, ECA, but probably not AECI (awaiting ballot results), definitely not NECI and most definitely not the NON alligned Group.

So there you have it, sorted !

On the issue of compromise between 11% increase and 10% reduction, common sense would suggest " status quo" rates stay as is and to be reviewed early next year. Only reason I see for the temporary withdrawal of pickets was to accomodate Builders hols starting this coming Friday. The Brothers need hol pay too.

Secman

 

[Latrade]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

Only reason I see for the temporary withdrawal of pickets was to accomodate Builders hols starting this coming Friday. The Brothers need hol pay too.

Secman

You old cynic you.

 

[Sunny]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

4.9% suited TEEU, ECA, but probably not AECI (awaiting ballot results), definitely not NECI and most definitely not the NON alligned Group.

So there you have it, sorted !

On the issue of compromise between 11% increase and 10% reduction, common sense would suggest " status quo" rates stay as is and to be reviewed early next year. Only reason I see for the temporary withdrawal of pickets was to accomodate Builders hols starting this coming Friday. The Brothers need hol pay too.

Secman

I had the same thoughts!

 

[Complainer]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

Will add that I think only a lunatic would look for an increase in wages and strike for a week in a recession .

Still wonder if the electricans did maths during their courses,Im not being smart here,but really if they thought it through and realised that it would take over a year to get the weeks wage loss back,would they have gone on strike?And if they contuine to strike,well ,do the math!!

Yeah, that must be the only explanation - the thousands of electricians out there who pay their union subs and voted for industrial action are both crazy and stupid. There is no other possible explanation, given that their views differ from yours - right?

 

[csirl]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

Anyhow the reality is the 5% the electricians will get over the next 6 months will in fact ,not be any use to them for another 12 or more months due to the weeks strike costing them 800e.

And the reality is there will be more jobs lost so less staff to pay the 5% "increase" too.

Classic ploy by clever employers side.

Give the unions an increase equal or less than the value of the wages payments you saved while the employees were on strike

 

[Complainer]

Re: TEETU Eletricians Dispute (Eamon Devoy on Joe Duffy)

Classic ploy by clever employers side.

Give the unions an increase equal or less than the value of the wages payments you saved while the employees were on strike

Most employers aren't that dumb. They understand that an increase in wages goes on forever.