A new union organisation has been established to campaign for fairer pay, conditions, retention and training in the automotive sector. The National Automotive 3/90 Branch is a subsidiary organisation of Unite the Union and is comprised of the formerly named Unite Mechanics and the amalgamated Vehicle Builders 3/90 Branch.

Current membership stands at over 520 with new members joining on a regular basis. The new body has also amalgamated the Mechanics Association of Ireland. 

The National Automotive 3/90 Branch recognises that the automotive industry in Ireland is facing many challenges in that technological change, especially in terms of electrification, is creating manpower, training and capacity issues. There is also a major challenge retaining skilled labour within the workforce and in developing appropriate training curriculum and enforcing and regulating safe and responsible working practices.

With wage stagnation and very little impetus to bring automotive technicians wages in line with other sectors, coupled with a cost of living and housing crisis, the organisation aims to create improve conditions to stop young workers from exiting the sector either into other industries or  abroad. 

The National Automotive 3/90 Branch also wants to have a voice at the table at legislative and policy making levels. The new organisation makes the point that at present the there is no representation for workers at the table when decisions are made that directly affect remuneration, jobs, education and the logistics and management of the sector. It believes that without strong workers union representation, the exodus of workers from the automotive sector will continue, which is projected to result in unsafe working practices and the inability to maintain and service the electrified national fleet.

New Branch Secretary of The National Automotive 3/90 Branch is Lee Waterson. For more information please contact Lee by email: Lee.Waterson@unitetheunion.org or search The National Automotive 3/90 Branch on Facebook.