Pickets for the Unite Strike on MEBSCA-affiliated builders hit Pfizer sites on Grange Castle in South Dublin County and Pfizer in Ringaskiddy effectively shutting down both sites. Today is their second consecutive Friday strike in September.
Picketers with Unite reported that Cork’s Ringaskiddy Pfizer site had a much larger and deeper impact than expected. Workers there were advised ahead of the action that, unless they were essential to safety for the plant, they should simply stay away. Even with that warning, traffic was ‘a nightmare everywhere in the area’ around the build in Ringaskiddy. Pfizer workers at Pfizer’s operational facility will be putting in complaints about how the traffic has made them late. Picketers responded by encouraging complainants to point to root cause: the failure of Mechanical Engineering and Building Service Contractors Association (MEBSCA) to talk about reinstating Travel Time on the Sectoral Employment Order.
In South Dublin, the picketers focused on Pfizer at the Grange Castle Site.
’80 to 90% of traffic to the site was turned away. Huge support from the workers. Deliveries heard us out, said they’d never cross a picket. There’s been a lot of ‘fair play to you’s. Lots of support,’ said Willie Mangan chair of the Unite Construction Branch.
‘We’ve been in touch with Pfizer of course. The issue isn’t with them its with MEBSCA. Our members voted over 90% to take industrial action for travel time. We need MEBSCA to seriously engage. Our members are serious. The companies are very profitable’ He noted the recent example of data centre builder Mercury Engineering’s reported pre-tax profits which are up 20% on last year and 79% rise in pay for the directors:
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2024/0909/1469157-mercury-engineering-results/
In comparison the union’s request for engagement on the first hour of travel time seems quite demure.
The Sectoral Employment Order for Mechanical workers in Construction used to include travel time. It can and should again. Unite will be out on strike again next Friday but like this week the exact locations won’t be known until the day before.
People Before Profit would encourage its members in trade union membership to build support especially in builders unions like Connect and SIPTU. Membership is showing their support because they know that a victory for Unite’s members will be a victory for all. We should be all in for the win. That means all of the trade union members in Ireland. Plan to help build the power of the strike by raising a motion in support in your branch today.
People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny for Dublin Mid West said, ‘I’m proud to be out supporting these workers. Unite’s letting the fighters lead and that a great thing for working people here. We should all get behind them. Well done to everyone holding the picket today.’
