Labour Court refers electricians’ pay increase dispute for review

The Labour Court recommended referring the disputed pay increase for electricians back to the National Joint Industrial Council for review, rather than requiring immediate payment. The recommendation was signed on 13 August 2008. The Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union said the increase was due from 1 April 2008 under an existing agreement. The Electrical Contractors Association said the new rate had to be registered and that paying it before registration would disadvantage contractors. The Court said the increase had been agreed on the understanding it would be incorporated into the registered agreement, but that had not been possible because of circumstances outside the parties’ control.