asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that trade unions are experiencing delays in obtaining the services of the Labour Court conciliation machinery; if he will state in respect of the present year the number of full-time conciliation officers and the average delay between the request for a conciliation conference and the holding of the conference; and if he will make an explanatory statement in connection with this service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labour Court Conciliation Conferences.
103.
I am aware that on occasions the Labour Court conciliation service finds it difficult to accommodate all the parties which are looking for its services at one point of time. I have not precise figures which would give a meaningful measure of delay in arranging conciliation conferences but the pressure on the service is kept under constant review and the staff must be adjusted as circumstances require so as to give a reasonable service. It would never be possible to arrange a "no delay" service.
A present there are three full-time conciliation officers and two other officers who devote the major portion of their time to conciliation work.
Surely the Minister is aware that these men are very much overworked? Even with that effort on their part, the delays are altogether too long. In fact, cases reported for conciliation have been delayed as long as six, nine and, in some cases, 12 months because the officials are not available. This tendency encourages certain workers to go on strike because they know it is the only way they can get attention.
I understand the delay is due mainly to difficulty in getting time suitable to the different parties concerned. Congress made a complaint and the Labour Court has inquired of Congress for details of specific cases so they can make a more precise determination of the cause of the delay.
The Labour Court officials themselves must be well aware that cases they have been asked to investigate have been held up for long periods. They do not have to ask Congress for information; they have it on their own files.
I am told the main cause of the delay is finding a time suitable to all the parties concerned.
I do not agree at all. There are not sufficient officers.
They have asked for specific cases in order to study them.