Questions and answers about the overtime ban
1. Why has industrial action been taken?
Wage earners’ purchasing power has deteriorated significantly over the last six months. At the same time industrial enterprises have been making big profits and have distributed record dividends. Employers don’t seem to understand what it’s like for wage earners as prices and interest rates go up. The unwillingness of employers to come to a reasonable settlement has led to a situation where the Industrial Union has to speed things up by taking industrial to achieve a settlement.
2. Who does the overtime ban apply to?
The overtime ban applies to employees working in the agreement sectors below, whether they are trade union members or not.
- Technology industry
- Chemical basic industry
- Plastics and chemical products industry
- Oil, gas and petrochemical products industry
3. When does the overtime ban start and finish?
The overtime ban starts at midnight on Wednesday 1 February 2023 and ends at 11.59 pm on Friday 17 February 2023.
4. Is an overtime ban legal?
Yes, it is. An overtime ban announced by the union is always legal industrial action.
5. Can you work hours for your working time account during the overtime ban?
You can’t work hours for your working time account during the overtime ban. Only the normal shift system hours can be worked.
6. Can an employer order an employee to work overtime?
No. Employees don’t work overtime during an overtime ban announced by the union.
7. Can an employer dismiss an employee for complying with the overtime ban?
No. An overtime ban announced by the union is always legal industrial action. Employees are in any case always entitled to refuse to work overtime.
Moreover, when an overtime ban is initiated by a trade union, an employer is not entitled to dismiss or terminate an employment contract for participating in the overtime ban. The Industrial Union is a trade union. It doesn’t matter what type of industrial action is taken.
8. Where can I get more information on the overtime ban?
You can get more information about the overtime ban from your shop steward or the union regional centres or the employment advice helpline.
Call the employment advice helpline on 020 690 447 – lines are open Mon to Fri 8.30 am to 3 pm.