Jones Engineering Faces OECD Complaint Over Treatment of Union Shop stewards
Irish construction company Jones Engineering and its US parent company, Cathexis, are facing a complaint to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Progress (OECD) over the treatment of three trade union shop stewards. The complaint, filed by Unite and the Building and Woodworkers International (BWI), alleges Jones Engineering violated the OECD’s guidelines for ethical business conduct. This dispute stems from a one-day strike in March 2023 by 180 workers at two Dublin sites – Pfizer in Grange Castle and Intel in Leixlip. The strike was prompted by a disagreement over the reinstatement of paid travel time for construction workers. Following the strike, Jones Engineering subsidiary HA O’Neill initiated High Court action against Unite and the three shop stewards involved. the unions argue that Jones engineering’s action is an attempt to “financially punish” the stewards and unfairly targets them for their role in the strike. “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,” the complaint alleges. Unite and BWI assert that the pending court case creates a hostile environment for the stewards, hindering their ability to represent their fellow workers. They are calling for Jones Engineering to drop the legal action, cover the workers’ legal expenses, and reinstate their previous shifts and duties. This dispute comes amidst news that Jones Engineering is one of several Irish companies being investigated by European and local competition regulators for their involvement in data centre construction [[1](https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/12/21/jones-engineering-named-in-european-union-data-centre-investigation/)]. Jones Engineering has stated that they are committed to maintaining positive relationships with their workforce and union representatives. While expressing regret over the decision to file an OECD complaint, the company welcomes the opportunity for “transparent” engagement with the process and maintains confidence in adhering to OECD guidelines and best practices. If found in breach of OECD guidelines, companies can be excluded from bidding on state or publicly funded contracts in the OECD member countries.## Shop Stewards Complaint Raises Questions About workers’ Rights
**Archyde spoke with Liam Kelly, a regional lead for Unite, the union representing the shop stewards in question. Here are his thoughts on the ongoing dispute with jones Engineering.**
**Archyde:** Mr. Kelly,can you give us your outlook on why the OECD complaint was filed against Jones Engineering?
**Liam Kelly:** The complaint stems from Jones Engineering’s decision to take legal action against three of our shop stewards following a legitimate strike in March 2023. Our members were protesting the removal of paid travel time, a practice that directly impacts their livelihoods.Jones Engineering’s response was to initiate High Court proceedings against the stewards, accusing them of gross misconduct.We believe this action represents an attempt to bully and intimidate union representatives, creating a chilling effect on workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain.
**Archyde:** Jones Engineering contends that they are committed to positive relationships with
their workforce and union representatives. How do you reconcile this statement with the current legal action?
**Liam Kelly**: Words are mere gestures if not backed by actions. Filing a lawsuit against stewards for participating in a lawful strike contradicts any claims of supporting worker representation. This action sends a clear message: dissent will be met with punishment. We are calling on Jones Engineering to drop the legal proceedings, cover the workers’ legal costs, and reinstate their previous duties.
**Archyde:** This dispute also comes amidst ongoing investigations into Jones Engineering’s involvement in data center construction.
Do you see any connection between these issues?
**liam Kelly**: It’s并不难to see a pattern here. When companies prioritize profit over ethical conduct and worker well-being, it raises concerns about a broader disregard for fair practices. Whether it’s suppressing union activity or potentially engaging in anti-competitive behavior in the data center industry, the implications for workers and consumers are alarming.
**Archyde:** do you think this case sets a risky precedent for workers’ rights in Ireland?
**Liam Kelly**: This case has the potential to send shockwaves through the Irish labor movement.If companies are allowed to silence union voices through intimidation tactics and legal harassment, it will have a deeply chilling effect on workers’ ability to stand up for their rights. This is not just about three shop stewards; it’s about the fundamental right to collective bargaining and fair treatment in the workplace.
**Archyde:** what message do you hope this OECD complaint sends to Jones Engineering and other multinational corporations operating in Ireland?
**Liam kelly**: We are hoping this complaint serves as a wake-up call.We want Jones Engineering and all multinational corporations to understand that workers’ rights are not negotiable. There will be consequences for those who attempt to undermine collective bargaining and silence workers’ voices. We urge Jones Engineering to reconsider their approach and engage with us in good faith to find a resolution that respects the rights of their employees.
**Archyde:**
Readers, what are your thoughts on this case? Do you believe Jones Engineering’s actions are justified, or do they represent a worrying trend of eroding workers’ rights? Share your opinions in the comments below.
## Shop Stewards Complaint Raises Questions About Workers’ Rights
**Archyde** spoke with **Liam Kelly**, a regional lead for Unite, teh union representing the shop stewards involved in the dispute with Jones Engineering.
**Archyde:** Mr. Kelly, can you give us yoru outlook on why the OECD complaint was filed against jones Engineering?
**Liam Kelly:** The complaint stems from Jones Engineering’s decision to take legal action against three of our shop stewards following a legitimate strike in March 2023. Our members where protesting the removal of paid travel time, a practice that directly impacts their livelihoods. Jones Engineering’s response was to initiate High Court proceedings against the stewards, accusing them of gross misconduct. We believe this action represents an attempt to bully and intimidate union representatives, creating a chilling affect on workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain.
**Archyde:** Jones Engineering contends that they are committed to positive relationships with their workforce and union representatives. How do you reconcile this statement with the current legal action?
**liam Kelly:** Words are mere gestures if not backed by actions. Filing a lawsuit against stewards for participating in a lawful strike contradicts any claims of supporting worker portrayal. This action sends a clear message: dissent will be met with punishment. We are calling on Jones Engineering to drop the legal action, cover the workers’ legal expenses, and reinstate their previous shifts and duties.
**archyde:** This dispute comes amidst news that jones Engineering is facing antitrust scrutiny for their involvement in data center construction. Does this situation raise further concerns about the company’s practices?
**Liam Kelly:** It certainly adds another layer of concern. If Jones engineering is engaging in anti-competitive practices in one area of its business, it begs the question of whether such behavior extends to their treatment of workers and unions. While these are separate issues, they both point to a potential pattern of disregard for ethical and fair practices.
**Archyde:** What message do you hope to send with this OECD complaint?
**Liam kelly:** We want to hold Jones Engineering accountable for its actions and send a clear message that intimidating union representatives and undermining workers’ rights will not be tolerated. The OECD complaint is a platform to shed light on this issue and call for clarity and accountability from Jones Engineering. We hope it will serve as a warning to other companies that attempting to silence workers’ voices will have consequences.
