Ceardchumann Teicniúil, Innealtóireachta & Leictreachais Issue 16 OfficialOfficial Magazine of the Technical, Engineering & Electrical Union (TEEU) 2016 1916 - 2016 A Century of Progress www.TEEU.ie TEEU/UA Global Agreement 2016 Patricia King, First Woman General Secretary ICTU Global Power Congress Defence of members blockade 10,500 Electricians Strike 2009 Irish Industrial Development, ESB Ardnacrusha Anti-Apartide Dispute Ireland enters the EEC Times of Struggle Formation of our Union 10th May 1920 Emigration from ireland O’Connell St. Dublin 1916 Countess Markievicz Serving all electricity customers DANGER OF DEATH Always dial before you dig Avoid the dangers of underground electricity cables. Contact us to get maps which show the locations of ESB Networks’ underground cables. PHONE: 1850 928 960 EMAIL: [email protected] FAX: 01 6388169 In case of emergency, phone 1850 372 999 (24 HOUR/7 DAY SERVICE) www.esbnetworks.ie IMPORTANT: Please refer to the HSA “Code of Practice For Avoiding Danger From Underground Services” on how to safely carry out excavation work in the vicinity of underground cables. Available at www.hsa.ie EDITORIAL EDITORIAL A TIME OF CHANGE CONTENTS As we emerge from the depths of economic depression Con gress BDC 2015 4 there are some knowns and many unknowns. However, Women’s Forum Report 6 we have it in our hands to shape a number of issues Eamon Devoy , General Secretary that directly affect our lives. Educate to Organise 7 For better or worse we are heading into a Federation (CIF) have at separate meetings in general election having come through an the three sectors denied the existence of an The Irish Citizens Army, Countess extremely difficult time in Ireland. The last agreed rate of pay in each of the sectors in Markievicz and 1916 8 Fianna Fáil - Green Party Government without recent weeks. In response to the TEEU’s 5% doubt turned their back on the citizens of pay claim that they will not agree to any pay Youth & Apprentice Forum 10 Ireland by investing our future in the “Bank increase unless a Sectoral Employment Guarantee”, slavishly following their European Order (SEO) is in place. The introduction of Fusion Interview with Masters who themselves in turn were serving an SEO, even if it is achievable, will take at Eamon Devoy , General Secretary 10 the interests of the German and French Banks least 12 months to accomplish and in such and worse still they did so in fright without circumstances the pay terms are not General Election Pending 12 even negotiating a debt reduction, thereby negotiated but imposed. That is why it is committing this and the next generation to a essential that our 5% pay claim on the rates The Job Interview 14 huge financial burden. of pay that are already formally agreed with Revolutionary Dublin brought the employers is achieved before an SEO is The outgoing Fine Gael-Labour Government, contemplated by the Union. to life 16 whether you like them or not, has managed to plot a course to recovery. Ireland On the Political front we are facing into A charter for fairness 18 consequently has the highest growth rate in the most unpredictable general election in Europe with tax revenue for 2015 3.3bn decades with many independents and minor THE 1916 RISING: Labour and higher than expected, experiencing further political groupings emerging. One thing that the Irish Revolution 21 substantial investment and employment we all need to be conscious of is the fact opportunities have returned. that to form a government there must be an The Irish Trade Union Federation 25 overall majority group capable of electing Last year the Government enacted the a Taoiseach in order to form the next New Appointments 26 Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015. government. While the TEEU is not affiliated This legislation, prompted by the Labour Party to any political party, prior to the last election Wage Theft 26 side of the Government, has three elements: the TEEU Executive Council, concerned The right for trade unions to bargain with with the prospect of being faced with a single Canoe Sport in Ireland 28 employers where these employers refuse to party Fine Gael Government, took the Construction Workers Pension Scheme 31 engage with trade unions for the purpose of unprecedented step of calling on our collective bargaining. membership to vote for the Labour Party. We Giving developers a free ride The introduction of Sectoral Employment did this in order to restrict the potential on water infrastructure is damage to workers that could be inflicted Orders, following the Supreme Court ruling not a long-term solution 32 that declared Registered Employment Orders should a single party Fine Gael Government be elected. On this occasion the TEEU is unconstitutional, which will restore the ability Recovery comes with to have once again enforceable pay rates, calling on members to challenge all political travelling time for working away from base, candidates on 5 key issues prioritised by challenges too 34 our recent Biennial Delegate Conference sick pay, pension and mortality benefits in What is the duty of care owed mechanical & electrical contracting and the concerning: Apprenticeship Fees, The Social construction industry. Housing Crisis, The Retirement Age anomaly, to an employee by his/her Opposition to TTIP CETA trade deals and the employer 36 Introduced the Low Pay Commission that has demand for a Constitutional Referendum to once again increased the National Minimum retain water provision and treatment in public Health and safety is not Rate to €9.15 from January 2016. ownership. negotiable 38 Another significant milestone, in the concept Finally, as I retire from the position of General of a true Republic, was the passing into law Secretary/Treasurer in July of this year I wish The New Workplace Relations of the Marriage Act 2015, following the to extend my appreciation to our President, Commission 40 nd Referendum of the Irish People on the 22 Trustees, EMC/NEC Officers, branch officers May 2015. The Legislation which approved and committee members, shop stewards and Workplace Representative marriage being available to same sex couples all our many activists who work tirelessly on a th Training 2016 43 came into effect on the 16 November 2015. voluntary basis for the Union in the interests While we are facing into a period of positive of our members, as well as our officials and growth, we are facing into a year of staff for all their dedication and hard work uncertainty both industrially and politically. throughout 2015. On the Industrial front at National level in I wish Paddy Kavanagh well in his succeeding THANKS construction and in mechanical & electrical role as General Secretary/ Treasurer. I have Thanks to Frank Keoghan General President, contracting, the employers through their every confidence in his ability to lead the Sean Heading Regional Secretary and Tamara representative body, the Construction Industry union into the decades ahead. Harte Personal Assistant for their support and assistance in producing this edition of Fusion. © 2015 fusion is published by the Technical, Engineering & Electrical Union (TEEU), 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1. Tel: 01 874 7047 / Lo-Call: 1890 488 338 / Fax: 01 874 7048 / Email: [email protected] / Web: www.teeu.ie I trust you will enjoy reading it. Design, Layout and Print by CRM Design + Print Ltd. Unit 6 Bridgecourt Office Park, Walkinstown Avenue, Dublin 12. Tel: 01 429 0007. DISCLAIMER: Technical Engineering & Electrical Union do not guarantee the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers or Eamon Devoy , General Secretary accept any responsibility for any statement which they may express in this publication January 2016 fusion 3 CONGRESS BDC Biennial Delegate Conference – Ennis 2015 EAMON DEVOY, General Secretary economy in both the public and private PADDY KAVANAGH, General Secretary proposing the TEEU Motion to Conference sectors and calls on the Executive (Elect) Speaking in favour of motions on Defence of Pensions and Living Council to take the following measures: 32 & 36 in defence of the Public Standards that won the unanimous Lead a sustained campaign to Service support of the Conference. defend existing worthwhile schemes and to campaign for the restoration of cuts to pension schemes where such cuts have occurred. Promote the introduction of worthwhile schemes where none exist. Campaign for a fair retirement age at which time the state will provide a worthwhile Contributory Pension Scheme paid for by members throughout their working life through their Social Insurance Contributions. Systematically examine other pension changes that may arise, while developing effective visible responses to resist any negative changes; and Motion 32 Motion 28 Campaign for a Statutory Pension Public Services V Privatisation Defence of Pensions and Protection Fund which is capable of providing compensation to those Conference re-affirms its long standing Living Standards pension scheme members affected opposition to privatisation of key public Conference notes with concern the by insolvencies, while members over utilities and public services such as continuing attacks by neoliberal normal retirement age or retired due health and education. Specifically, it commentators and greedy employers to ill health would continue to calls upon the incoming Executive on worthwhile pension schemes (i.e. receive their pension. Council to campaign for a constit- those that sustain living standards in Proposer: Technical Engineering utional amendment to ensure that the retirement) throughout the Irish Electrical Union water supply infrastructure in the 1 2 3 4 fusion January 2016 CONGRESS BDC 6 7 8 9 Republic of Ireland will always remain ii. That any future attempt by the 1. ICTU BDC 2015 in public ownership, and to maintain government to impose unilateral 2. Tommy Guilfoyle, President Clare Council of Trade its opposition to the privatisation of changes to the pay and working Unions, formerly opening the ICTU BDC 2015 3.