asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that a fortnight's notice of withdrawal of labour has been served on the shipping companies by the several trade unions on behalf of their members employed by such companies as dockers in the Port of Dublin with the object of securing for their members the benefits of the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1939, to which they hold they are entitled but which have been denied them due to certain administrative difficulties; whether proposals have been submitted to him on behalf of the dockers indicating methods whereby the benefits of the Act might be secured by such workers, subject to the qualifying provisions in the Act; if so, whether consideration has been given to such proposals; if not, if he will have immediate attention given to them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Dockers' Strike Notice.
I am aware that a fortnight's notice of withdrawal of labour has been served on the shipping companies by the several trade unions concerned on behalf of their members employed as dockers in the Port of Dublin by these companies, with the object of securing for their members the holiday rights to which other workers are entitled under the provisions of the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1939.
I must point out, however, that the position of these workers in relation to the Act is not due to administrative difficulties as stated in the question. A court of law has decided, on a test case brought in agreement with the parties, that these dockers because of the conditions of their employment are not covered by the provisions of the Act.
Proposals have been submitted to me on behalf of these dockers indicating methods whereby the Act might be amended so as to secure similar benefits for dockers and these proposals have since been under examination. As, however, the trade unions concerned have elected to endeavour to secure an adjustment of the position by industrial action, I cannot make any statement as to the possibility of the Government being willing to consider suggested amendments of the Act and in view of the possibility that the services of my Department may, at some stage, be required for the purpose of mediation in the dispute, I consider that it would be undesirable for me to express, at the moment, any views on the issues involved.
While the Minister is correct in stating that the difficulties are not purely administrative, I am sure he is aware that they could be overcome by administrative changes.
No.
Well, by agreement between the companies and the men.
Certainly. There is no question of any legal bar to the companies conceding the conditions which the men are asking.