Plumbers, fitters, and welders are preparing to 'down tools' on construction projects around the country.

It follows the breakdown of talks over the restoration of austerity-era cuts to travel time - in which construction workers were previously paid for first hour of their travel time. 

UNITE trade union spokesperson James McCabe said cuts to 'travel time' were first introduced as a temporary measure over a decade ago. 

He added it was meant to be reviewed a year later - but they are still waiting - and members are now preparing to picket sites next week.

“It’ll kick off on Friday September 6th throughout the country at sites to be determined by our members in the coming days - early next week probably,” he said. 

“It’ll be the large type of plants - the foreign direct investment type facilities.”

Mr McCabe said negotiations with contractors' association MEBSCA have proved difficult. 

“They didn’t want to engage with us to discuss even a percentage increase,” he claimed. 

“Just a flat out no, so unfortunately members left with no other alternative except to now take industrial action.” 

In a statement, MEBSCA said they were "extremely disappointed" by the decision to down tools. 

"It is only eight months since MEBSCA entered into an agreement with Unite, which will yield pay increases for Unite members of 12.8%," a spokesperson said.

"Unite is now seeking to double this increase despite the fact that this agreement does not expire until May 2026."

Main image: A plumber repairing a sink. Picture by: Alamy.com