Are you a plumber or pipefitter?
If you are there is a new sectoral employment order which sets minimum pay rates and other conditions of employment for you.
The sectoral employment order (SEO) came into force on 6th March, 2018 and covers the following employees:
Qualified Plumbers and Registered Apprentice Plumbers (Craftsperson) and Qualified Pipefitters and Registered Apprentice Pipefitters (Craftsperson) working in the Sector.
For the avoidance of doubt qualified plumbers and pipefitters who have acquired additional or advanced welding qualifications and who are required to function as welders on a day to day basis within the sector come within the scope of this Order.
Rates of Pay (hourly)
Category 1 €22.73
Category 2 €23.33
Category 3 €23.60
Apprentices
Apprentice Year 1 33.3% of Category 1 hourly rate of pay
Apprentice Year 2 50% of Category 1 hourly rate of pay
Apprentice Year 3 75% of Category 1 hourly rate of pay
Apprentice Year 4 90% of Category 1 hourly rate of pay
The SEO also defines the normal working week, normal daily working hours, and unsocial hours 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
The SEO also deals with pensions, pension contributions, a sick pay scheme and how disputes are to be resolved.
Legally Binding
This SEO is legally binding in the sector, regardless of whether the employer has a unionised workforce or not, as these are statutory minimum rates and conditions in the sector. These SEOs replace the old Registered Employment Agreements which were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2013.
Here is a link to the full order: SECTORAL EMPLOYMENT ORDER (MECHANICAL ENGINEERING BUILDING SERVICES CONTRACTING SECTOR) 2018