asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the relations between the management and the workers at the National Paper Factory at Waterford have been gradually getting worse and resulted some weeks ago in an unofficial strike by a large number of workers; and, if so, if he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Paper Factory.
I am not aware that relations between the management and workers at the National Board and Paper Mills have been gradually getting worse. My information on the subject is that the issue which led to an unofficial strike some weeks ago was satisfactorily settled at a conference between representatives of the workers and employers presided over by a conciliation officer of the Labour Court.
Should any further difficulties arise the good offices of the Labour Court will again be at the disposal of the parties.
Is the Minister aware that the management have published on the factory notice board a statement that can only be construed as an encouragement to the workers to leave their respective unions, and will the Minister take steps to impress on the management that this is not the Government view?
My information on the matter is that, in the first instance, an unofficial strike took place. Then some discussions took place among the workers with a view to having that strike made official. The management got some garbled account of what took place at the meeting to officialise the strike. Apparently they got the impression that there was to be another unofficial strike and they exhibited a notice stating that if there was to be another strike they would like to be told the date of the strike. I understand that that notice caused irritation, as one can quite appreciate, and led to another unofficial strike, but when the matter was taken to the head offices of the union, and the conciliation officer from the Labour Court moved in, the whole matter was amicably settled. I understand, further, that there was a disavowal by the company that there was any prejudice against membership of a trade union and I gather that that was accepted by the officials of the union. Peace has now been restored and I hope it will be of an abiding character.
Would the Minister undertake to convey to the management the fact that the Government are not anti-trade union and that they deplore an endeavour to smash legal unions?
That is a separate question.