The Dublin construction industry is threatened with major disruption as scaffolders prepare to present a pay claim for increases ranging from 50 to 300 per cent.
The scaffolders say they will take "all-out" industrial action from Monday, March 15th if their claim is not met.
About 250 scaffolders attended a meeting in Liberty Hall on Wednesday and set up a Society of Scaffolders and Helpers, to pursue the claim, which is outside the terms of Partnership 2000.
The chairman of the Dublin scaffolders, Mr Andrew McGuinness, said yesterday the society would be seeking a new pay scale running from £9 an hour to £18 an hour. The current scaffolders' rate is £6.25p an hour.
Construction Industry Federation director Mr Terry McEvoy was "very disappointed" at the prospect of more unofficial action" and said the scaffolders should use disputes procedure.
Meanwhile, talks to resolve the bricklayers' dispute at Park West are due to begin next Tuesday. Both disputes are being seen as worrying signs that pay restraint in boom sectors like construction is beginning to break down. Many craft workers are earning up to £15 or £18 an hour through local "top-up" deals on top of nationally agreed rates. Scaffolders, traditionally seen as semi-skilled operatives, are effectively seeking craft rates.