asked the Minister for Defence whether he has yet come to a decision regarding the granting of a five-day week to the civilian storekeepers at the Cavalry Corps Stores and the Signal Stores at the Curragh Camp, County Kildare; whether he is aware that a five-day week has been granted to civilian workers employed in the engineers' department for the past ten months and to the civilian employees at the base workshop, Clancy Barracks, Dublin as far back as July 1961; and whether he is prepared to consider some improvement in the negotiating machinery between his Department and the unions at establishment level so as to avoid upset and dissatisfaction amongst the employees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Working Week of Army Civilian Employees.
42.
Storemen employed with the Cavalry Corps were placed on a five-day week on 3rd September, 1962, and the Deputy was so informed on 29th of last month. Arrangements are now being made to extend the five-day week to employees in the Signals Depot.
I am aware that the other employees mentioned by the Deputy have been granted a five-day week.
With regard to negotiating machinery, unions have full liberty to raise any matters affecting their members' interests and the Department is always prepared to consider them. I am not aware of any difficulties in this regard.
Is the Minister not aware that the union catering for these employees feel there is a need there for that? Have they not applied to the Minister for negotiations and been unsuccessful? Is that not why I put down the Question in the first place?
I am not so aware.
Why does the Minister think I put it down?
43.
andMr. Dooley asked the Minister for Defence whether a decision has been reached in regard to the question of granting a five-day week to civilians employed by the Signal Corps at the Curragh, County Kildare.
Arrangements are now being made to extend the five-day week to employees in the Signals Depot.