New SEO giving enhanced employment rights for plumbers and fitters
As of 6th March 2018 a new Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) came into force for those working in the Mechanical Engineering Building Services Contracting Sector.
What is an SEO?
SEOs now replace the old Registered Employment Agreement system which was ruled unconstitutional in 2013. This is the second SEO that has been enacted after the Construction Industry SEO was introduced last October. The SEO sets out increased employment rights for those working in the industry.
Who exactly does this SEO apply to?
It is estimated that the SEO will apply to 10,000 plumbers and pipefitters and registered apprentice plumbers and pipefitters, working in the Sector.
New hourly wage rates
| Category 1: | Newly qualified plumbers and pipefitters | €22.73 |
| Category 2: | Qualified plumbers and pipefitters employed in the Sector with effect from the commencement of their 3rd year of employment after qualification as a plumber or pipefitter |
€23.33 |
| Category 3: | Qualified plumbers and pipefitters employed in the Sector with effect from the commencement of their 6th year of employment after qualification as a plumber or pipefitter |
€23.60 |
The rates for apprentices in the Sector has also been increased, with rates of 33.3% of the Category 1 hourly rate of pay for Year 1 Apprentices to 90% of the Category 1 hourly rate of pay for Year 4 Apprentices.
Normal Working Week and Unsociable Hours
The normal working week shall consist of 39 hours worked between Monday and Friday each week.
Normal Daily Working Hours
Normal daily working hours shall consist of eight consecutive hours of work undertaken between the hours of 7 am (normal weekday starting time) and 5 pm (normal weekday finishing time) Monday — Thursday inclusive and between the hours of 7 am (normal Friday starting time) and 4 pm (normal Friday finishing time) on Friday.
Other Hours Worked
Hours worked outside of those hours shall constitute unsocial working hours and shall attract the following premium payments:
| Hours worked between normal finishing time and Midnight Monday to Friday inclusive: | Time plus a half |
| Hours worked between Midnight and normal starting time Monday to Friday: | Double time |
| First four hours worked after 7 am on Saturday: | Time plus a half |
| All other hours worked on Saturday: | Double time |
| All hours worked on Sunday: | Double time |
| All hours worked on Public Holidays: | Double time plus an additional day’s leave |
Other Employment Rights
- Pension and death-in-service benefit
- Sick Pay Scheme
- New Dispute Resolution Procedure: this outlines certain procedures that have to be complied with when a dispute occurs, before any form of industrial action can take place.
What do employers need to do now?
The SEO is legally binding on all employers in the Sector, whether or not they are members of a union and whether or not they agree with the SEO. Employers will need to review their payment practices and employment terms and conditions to ensure that they comply with the new requirements.
