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Fresh challenge to pay and conditions order for electrical workers

Summary

A fresh High Court challenge has been brought against a pay and conditions order for electrical workers by Náisiúnta Leictreach Contraitheor Eireann/National Electrical Contractors of Ireland (NECI). NECI seeks to have the Sectoral Employment Order (SEO), which came into effect in February 2023, quashed. The SEO was made under the 2015 Industrial Relations Act following a Labour Court recommendation to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. NECI claims the Labour Court did not adequately consider its submissions, failed to explain why small electrical contractors were included in the SEO, and did not provide sufficient reasoning for many of its findings. It further alleges the Labour Court's decision was irrational and unreasonable, and that the SEO imposes unachievable employment conditions, including pension, sick pay, and death in service schemes not available in Ireland. The SEO also contains vague requirements that are not clearly defined. Represented by Helen Callanan SC, NECI has brought judicial review proceedings against Minister Leo Varadkar. The application was heard by Mr Justice Charles Meenan, who granted permission for the challenge and adjourned the matter to a date in May. This follows a previous challenge to an earlier SEO, which was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Fresh challenge to pay and conditions order for electrical workers. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• June 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2022-03-28 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report