asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if, having regard to the public concern caused by the action of his Department in requiring members of the Irish Telephonists' Association to furnish explanations for recent industrial dispute action taken by them, he will give an assurance that no action will be taken to injure the position of the persons concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post Office Telephonists.
17.
I assume that the question refers to the action of certain members of the Department's male night telephonist staff who abandoned duty on 30th March for one night. The men reported to have done so have been informed of the report and requested to furnish an explanation of their conduct. No decision as to the action to be taken by the Department has yet been made.
I may add that the Irish Telephonists' Association was formed following a break away by some male night telephonists from the Post Office Workers' Union, which is at present recognised as representing both female telephonists and male night telephonists, as well as other grades. The new association applied for recognition, and in accordance with the terms of the agreed scheme of conciliation and arbitration for the Civil Service the Minister for Finance consulted the staff side panel, representing the Civil Service staff unions and associations. The panel advised the Minister against according recognition for reasons stated, and at the request of the Minister for Finance, the Department of Posts and Telegraphs wrote to the Irish Telephonists' Association on 26th March informing them of the position, stressing that harmony between the various staff organisations was essential to the working of the agreed scheme of conciliation and arbitration, and suggesting that the association consider arranging a meeting between themselves and the Post Office Workers' Union under an independent chairman. This the association were apparently unwilling to do and the disorderly action by some members of the staff followed.