Primetime Registered Agreements Discussion

[nationalelectrical]

NECI has done an excellent job in highlighting the negative aspect of these agreements. In the past this negative aspect has been glossed over and misrepresented by Trade Unions and Large Employers who will say or sell anything, to maintain industrial peace, even when the cost is major job losses in the electrical industry and the demise of small and medium Electrical Contracting firms.

[nationalelectrical]

The agreement operating in the Electrical Contracting Sector is clearly not fit for purpose and NECI continue to demand that it be immediately cancelled, before any further damage is done to our Industry. It is clear that the agreement is now outdated and un-workable. The Private Limited Company, EPACE, which was set up by the Trade Union and the Large Employers,  needs to be immediately wound up.

[nationalelectrical]

The European union identified this problem after the Rome Convention which was signed by the then 12 Member States and entered into force in 1991. The abolition between Member States, of obstacles to the free movement of persons and services, and the promotion of the transnational provision of services, prompted a growing number of undertakings to post employees abroad temporarily, to perform work in the territory of a Member State other than the State which they are normally employed.

[nationalelectrical]

The European union introduced a proposed solution to this problem called, ‘The Posted Workers Directive’ stating,..’ its implementation by Member States shall adopt the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 16 December 1999 at the latest.’

[nationalelectrical]

The Posted Workers Directive has not protected the small and medium electrical contractors, nor has it protected their electricians’ jobs.

[nationalelectrical]

If you are still a non-believer, consider the scenario of the contract you failed to win - that School, Pub, Office Block, Factory, Apartment Block, Housing Estate, Lighting Contract etc., which was won by an out of state firm, or by a big Irish firm subcontracting the labour to out-of-state subcontractors:

[nationalelectrical]

Is it not true that you are legally bound by a Registered Employment Agreement which dictates to you how much you must pay your employees and under what terms?

[nationalelectrical]

Is it not true that the successful firm who won the contract, conducts local bargaining with each of its workers or subcontractors?

[nationalelectrical]

Is it not fact this firm does not recognise or have to comply with the REA as the Posted Workers Directive has no jurisdictional, legislative, or enforcement mechanisms in place, which simply allow for the contractor to collect his money and run, employers & employees struggle to grapple for the scraps of work to maintain your viability.

[nationalelectrical]

Do you now believe that the government, trade unions & the Labour Court, colluded under the guise of Social Partnership, to ensure that infrastructure projects in Ireland could be carried out far cheaper by awarding these contracts to out of state contractors, employing non-Irish employees, as to employ Irish contractors abiding by the law would cost the state beween 40% to 50% more?

[nationalelectrical]

It is time employees fully understand the fact that these agreements force small and medium employers to be uncompetitive and therefore unable to compete for contracts in their own country against companies from other EU and non EU countries. Contrary to what has been spun by the Unions & Big Business Associations, these agreements do not create a level playing field, instead they are infact killing off small and medium Irish electrical contracting firms and their employees jobs, one by one.

[nationalelectrical]

TRUTH AT LAST ON TV VINDICATES NECI's STANCE AND EXPOSES ANTICOMPETITIVE REGIME