IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Irish Supreme Court on 9th May 2013 declared that "the provisions of Part III of the Industrial Relations Act 1946 are invalid having regard to the provisions of Article 15.2.1 of the Constitution of Ireland". The judgment has the effect of striking down Registered Employment Agreements put in place under the 1946 Industrial Relations Act.
It should be noted, however, that existing contractual rights of workers in sectors covered by Registered Employment Agreement are unaffected by this ruling. Contractual rights can be altered only by agreement between the parties involved.
Parties to Agreement
This Registered Employment Agreement was made between the Overhead Powerline Contractors Group (OPCG) and the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU).
Application
The agreement applies to workers engaged by an Overhead Powerline Contractor anywhere throughout the State - i.e.
- Chargehand,
- Lineworker,
- Trainee Lineworker and
- General Duties Assistant.
The agreement does not apply to:
- Workers affected by any other employment agreement,
- Workers to whom an Employment Regulation Order, made as a result of proposals received from a Joint labour Committee or other Registered Employment Agreement applies,
- Any other worker not referred to above.
Remuneration
The minimum hourly rates of pay vary depending on the job classification (Chargehand, Lineworker, etc.). Full details of the currently applicable pay rates can be found in the REA.
Hours of Work
The standard working week shall consist of 39 hours subject to a maximum spread of five days, Monday to Friday, exclusive of meal breaks. Actual working hours will be dependent on the needs of the business. Starting time may be between 7.00 a.m. and 9.00 a.m. Meal breaks will be as follows: Morning tea break - 10 minutes (paid) and Lunch break - 30 minutes (unpaid).
Full details concerning such items as Overtime, 'Five over Seven' working, Reporting on site, Allowances, Leave, etc. may be found in the Registered Employed Agreement.