Builder Jones Engineering Faces OECD Complaint Over Treatment of Trade Union Representatives
Builder Jones Engineering and its US-based owner, Cathexis, are facing a complaint to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) over their alleged mistreatment of three trade union shop stewards.
The complaint comes after a dispute between Jones subsidiary HA O’Neill and trade union Unite, which resulted in a one-day strike by building workers in Dublin in March 2023. The strike centered around the restoration of paid travel time for workers.
Allegations of Unfair Labor Practices
Unite and the global trade union federation Building and Woodworkers International (BWI) allege that Jones Engineering breached the OECD’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Ethical Business Conduct. They argue that the company singled out the three shop stewards for their role in the travel pay dispute, interfering with their rights to join a trade union and discriminating against them for their union activities.
“The shop stewards were ‘falsely accused of gross misconduct in two court proceedings and threatened with financial liabilities for their activities relating to a legitimate trade union industrial action’,” states the complaint filed by Unite and BWI. They maintain that the High Court action is intended to “financially punish” the three shop stewards and unfairly singles them out from the 180 workers who participated in the strike.
OECD Complaint Raises Stakes
A preliminary hearing on the complaint is scheduled for next Monday, with Unite represented by James McCabe, the union’s regional organiser for construction, and Ambet Yuson, BWI’s general secretary. The unions are seeking an end to the court action, reimbursement of the workers’ legal costs, and the restoration of their shifts and duties.
Failure to abide by OECD guidelines can have significant consequences, potentially barring companies from bidding on state or publicly funded contracts in OECD member countries.
Jones Engineering Responds to Allegations
Jones Engineering issued a statement acknowledging the complaint but maintaining its commitment to working constructively with its employees and their representatives.
“While we regret Unite’s decision to file a complaint with the OECD, we welcome the opportunity to engage transparently in the process,” the statement read. “We are confident our actions adhere to OECD guidelines and best practices.”
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