Read the Initial Assessment published by the NCP 26 September 2024: English
On 26 September 2024, Building and Woodworkers International Union Federation and Unite the Union submitted a specific instance to the US, UK and Ireland NCPs alleging that Cathexis PR IV LLC and its related group companies, a US-based private investment holding company, following its acquisition of Jones Engineering Group Limited, H.A. O’Neil Limited and subsidiaries, construction and engineering firms operating in Ireland, had not observed the General Policies (Chapter II) and Employment and Industrial Relations (Chapter V) provisions of the Guidelines. Specifically, the issues concerned a shift in industrial relations practices, including restrictions on collective bargaining and trade union relations, and the alleged use of reprisals against trade union members.
Following discussions between the NCPs, it was agreed that the Irish NCP would lead on handling the specific instance, with support from the Unites States NCP.
There were parallel High Court proceedings against the union and three of its members, which have now been discontinued.
On 13 August 2025, the Irish NCP published an initial assessment deciding to accept the case for further examination. The NCP made an offer of good offices to the parties. The complainants and Jones Engineering Group and its subsidiaries accepted the offer of good offices. Cathexis PR IV LLC declined the offer of good offices, indicating the matter would be dealt with by the Irish companies.