asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that a considerable amount of unrest exists among the civilian catering staff employed at Collins Barracks, Cork, having regard to the fact that they have not as yet received an increase in wages under the National Wage Agreement; and if he will immediately arrange for the sanctioning of an increase to the workers concerned, with appropriate retrospective payment under the Agreement referred to.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civilian Catering Staff in Cork Barracks.
19.
The civilian chefs and waiters employed at Collins Barracks, Cork, were granted the appropriate increases in wages under the National Agreement with effect from the dates applicable in comparable outside employment in Cork. Following representations from the union concerned that the standard of remuneration of my Department's employees was lower than that of chefs and waiters in outside employment in Cork, I am having the position of these employees re-examined.
How long will it take for this re-examinaion to be completed having regard to the fact that this type of re-examination has been promised for many months?
I am unable to say how long the re-examination will take but there was no application for an increase in wages until September, 1964, when the employees themselves applied directly and a decision to give a 12 per cent increase was made in October, 1964. The Union then wrote in to the Department, in October, 1964, and there were some further conversations with the secretary of the local branch and, as a result of some further submissions that were made in relation to the standard of remuneration payable to people in similar employment outside, the matter is now being examined. I cannot give the Deputy any further information at present but when the matter is brought to a conclusion, I will let him know.
Is the Minister not aware that the same sort of statement was made to the Union some months ago? I want to try to find out how long an examination of this kind will take. These are people who have not had an increase under the national agreement which is about to expire.
The Deputy is making a speech.
They had an increase in accordance with the terms of the national agreement.
Everybody else got an increase.
They are being paid the increase of 12 per cent on the basic wage under the terms of the national agreement.
This is Question Time.
Then they raised a separate question and that is being examined.