Labour Court finds Ellen Construction breached union access agreement

The Labour Court found Ellen Construction Limited breached the Electrical Contracting Industry Registered Employment Agreement by refusing union officials access to a construction site on two occasions. The decision was signed on 22 September 2008. The Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union said it sought access to check whether an electrical subcontractor was complying with the agreement. Ellen Construction argued it was not covered because it did no electrical work itself and employed no electricians. The Court found a primary contractor that engages a subcontractor covered by the agreement must allow authorised union officials access.