asked the Minister for Defence the cause of the delay in his Department in making a decision on a claim which was served by the Irish Transport and General Workers Union on 26th May, 1966 for a reduction in the working week from 46 to 44 hours in respect of boilermen employed in his Department; and if, having regard to his Department's failure to reply to repeated representations made by the union in pursuance of the claim, he will now state whether or not the claim referred to is being conceded.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Department of Defence Boilermen.
17.
The claim in question has been conceded and the necessary arrangements are being made.
Will the Minister state when it was decided to concede the claim, having regard to the fact that it was served on 26th May last?
The Department was in frequent communication with an official of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union from 26th May, when the claim was made. The claim would not become effective until the commencement of the heating season and it was felt there was ample time to have the matter processed. It took longer than was thought. It became known on the evening of Friday, 25th November, that the claim was being sanctioned. An effort was then made to get in touch with the official in the Irish Transport and General Workers Union but he was not available. He was informed on the morning of 28th November.
Surely the Minister is aware that those boilermen are in constant employment and that they work all the year around? The application was for a reduced working week. Having regard to the Minister's reply, can he explain why although repeated representations were made by the union concerned, they only looked for one official?
My information is that the officials concerned in this matter kept in constant touch.
I propose to let the Minister have a copy of a reply in that connection to show to him that repeated letters were written regarding this matter.
I shall have a look at it.