Written answers
Thursday, 10 July 2014
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
Industrial Disputes
Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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26. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the measures his Department has undertaken to help resolve the dispute at a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29934/14]
Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the dispute relates to the issue of cost cutting measures within the company. The dispute has already been the subject of conciliation efforts in the Labour Relations Commission, where agreement was not reached, and a subsequent Labour Court recommendation. The Court found that the Company’s current cost base is not sustainable and requires immediate remedial action in order to both protect employment and secure its customer base.
In this context, the Court recommended that:-
- The parties engage in a concentrated process to identify and cost the level of labour productivity savings that can be generated within the business and to agree on further adjustments to the wage bill necessary to return the Company to viability.Ireland’s system of industrial relations is voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial relations issues lies ultimately with employers and workers and their respective representatives as appropriate. The services of the State’s industrial relations machinery are available to assist the parties in the dispute. In this context, I would urge the parties to avail of their services and to engage constructively in the process in an effort to resolve the issues that are in dispute.
- The talks should be completed within 14 days of the date of its recommendation.
- The parties should engage the services of suitably qualified financial and productivity advisors to assist them through this process.
As the Deputy is aware, experience constantly shows us that what often appears to be the most intractable of matters is capable of resolution where both sides engage constructively and in good faith in this voluntary process. The principle of good faith implies that both sides make every effort to reach an agreement and endeavour to resolve their differences. I am aware that there has been some commentary about NERA's involvement with this company and its employees. NERA acts independently in these matters and it is the practice of NERA to instigate investigations where it becomes aware of public allegations of breaches of employment rights legislation.
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