Gas supply disruption warning due to strike action this week

SIPTU has warned of the possible disruption of gas supply tomorrow (Wednesday) due to a strike by its members at GMC Civil and Mechanical Engineering. 

GMC works with Gas Networks Ireland (formally Bord Gáis Networks) to maintain and upgrade the gas network.

The strike on Wednesday will see pickets will placed at locations in Dublin, Cork, Carlow and Limerick.

SIPTU representatives have confirmed that last-ditch talks to avoid an all-out strike of members at GMC Civil and Mechanical Engineering have collapsed. 

SIPTU Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction (TEAC) Division Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: "Our members never take the decision to strike lightly. However, the inflexible and disrespectful approach adopted by management has left them with no option. Something has to give.

"At the talks last night to resolve this dispute, the company sought further extensive changes to work practices as the price for implementing a pay and productivity deal which they had agreed to in May. To stall for months and now, at the eleventh hour, attempt to foist massive changes onto workers in return for a modest pay increase is completely unacceptable.

"SIPTU will continue to support workers taking industrial action in an effort to win pay increases. This is the best and fairest way to mitigate the continued high rate of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis."

SIPTU Construction Organiser, Andrew Mc Guinness, said: "It was unprecedented for a company to renege on a set of proposals that it had previously agreed to implement. The consequences of this action will result in pickets being placed on GMC premises across the country, with the real possibility of disruptions in gas supply".

GMC expressed its disappointment with the strike action. 

"The company has not frustrated any resolution of the pay dispute and have amicably resolved pay and conditions for the majority of employees since the transfer date," the company told RTÉ.

"The matter has been referred to the WRC and a conciliation meeting has been arranged at the WRC between the company and SIPTU in the week after the commencement of the strike," GMC said.

A spokesperson for Gas Networks Ireland said it: "is working with GMC to ensure that contingency arrangements are in place to manage any emerging issues on the gas network". 

"Safety is our number one priority and because of these measures being put in place, we expect no disruption to the continuity of gas supplies on the network. However, we will continue to proactively monitor and engage with GMC management on this matter," the spokesperson outlined.