On 23rd June last the High Court declared that all SEOs (i.e. construction, mechanical and electrical) were invalid. This Judgment followed a case taken against the Minister, the Attorney General and the Labour Court. The defendants in this case advised the High Court of their intention to appeal the decision and on 31st July last the High Court granted a stay on the construction and mechanical SEOs pending the outcome of the appeal to the Court of Appeal / Supreme Court.
The impact of the above is that the electrical SEO is no longer legally binding. However, the construction and mechanical SEOs remain in place and are, therefore, fully operational. The granting of a stay by the High Court means that construction workers have a legal entitlement to an increase in pay and pensions of 2.7% on 1st October next.