Strike by 10,500 electricians to go ahead on Monday as talks at Labour Relations Commission fail July 2nd, 2009. The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union is to proceed with its dispute in the electrical contracting industry next Monday, following the announcement by the Labour Relations Commission this afternoon that it was unable to find a basis for talks. The union has served strike notice on behalf of 10,500 members in the electrical contracting industry. If it goes ahead the strike could significantly affect the energy, manufacturing, construction, aviation and other sectors of the economy. TEEU General Secretary Designate Eamon Devoy said, “We appreciate the efforts of the LRC today in trying to find a basis for negotiations and we remain available for talks. However in the absence of progress we have no option but to take action in defence of labour standards and skill levels within a critical sector of the economy. “It is completely unacceptable for employers to not alone withhold previously agreed pay rises from our members that were supposed to come into force in April 2008 but to seek a ten per cent pay cut. Our members’ earnings are based on rates in comparator companies dating back to early 2006. “Employers not only want to cut rates by ten per cent but want to drive down other established working conditions down as well, including cuts in pay for apprentices and use of unqualified employees to carry out work. These measures would lead to serious deskilling of the workforce, with long term implications for the economy and for consumers in terms of technical and safety standards. “We have met the employers on four occasions and they have refused to engage with us on the terms recommended by the Labour Court. They have now failed to address our concerns in talks with the LRC. They either do not realise what the impact of this dispute will be, or do not care. However if it goes ahead it will affect economic activity across the state on a level not seen for many years.”