Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, the employer has been ignoring all requests from the Communication Workers' Union to meet. I know the workers who handle the calls to the ambulance and fire service are members of SIPTU but the emergency call answer personnel are being denied this right. ComReg also indicated that because of the critical nature of an emergency call, the system cannot be run like a fully commercialised call centre. I am not too sure if that has been taken into account.

One other aspect concerns staff cover, which affects annual leave. I know some workers were finding it difficult to get annual leave to which they are entitled because of the cover aspect. I do not share the Minister of State's confidence that the companies will deal with these matters in a fair way that respects workers' rights. If that does not happen, will the Minister then use his influence to ensure the companies - the employer - will respect worker rights, and especially the right to join and engage with a trade union?

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