asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement on the strike at the bacon factories and on its effect on the pig trade, on the export of bacon and on the income of the workers concerned; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bacon Factories Strike.
36.
The workers' claim in this case was first considered by the joint industrial council for the industry. The parties failed to reach agreement at the council and the dispute was referred, in accordance with agreed procedures, for formal investigation by the Labour Court. The Court's recommendations were rejected by the union concerned. The matter was further considered by the joint industrial council where an improved offer was made, but this also failed to bring about a settlement.
If a settlement cannot be reached by other means, there is available the procedure of section 70 of the Industrial Relations Act, 1946, under which the Labour Court, with the consent of the parties to the dispute, may refer the dispute to arbitration, or may itself arbitrate upon it.
The House and the parties concerned, as well as interests making representations in the matter may take it that any request from the parties for action under the section will be dealt with quickly by the Labour Court.
In view of the importance of this matter, and I speak as one representing a town in which there is a fairly extensive, good, firstclass bacon factory, would the Minister be prepared to allocate his personal time to bringing those parties together for the purpose of bringing an end with the least possible delay to this unfortunate strike?
I do not think I have any special role in conciliation. The matter was considered by the joint industrial council. There is available a procedure under which arbitration can be brought about under the Industrial Relations Act.
Would the Minister be prepared to ask a senior officer of his Department to intervene, with a view to bringing the parties together?
It was put to the council and to the Labour Court.
With regard to the Minister's slanted reply, which I do not think was personally intended, despite what happened at the Labour Court, is he not aware that an effort was made to bring both parties together and that the bacon curers association refused to attend the conference? Let us be clear about the picture.
Could the Deputy say in what way the answer was slanted?
You omitted to refer to that. You describe the situation as the way the workers refused to accept the recommendations of the Court or reach agreement at the council——
The Deputy is making a speech.
I have been asked by the Minister to explain myself. The bacon curers association refused——
When the Deputy refers to refusal by the workers, this is not to say they were wrong to refuse.
I refer to the bacon curers refusing to come to the meeting. This is information that has not been mentioned.
All the machinery we have available has been tried. The strike will be settled some time. This other machinery is available to them, if they intend to use it.
Would the Minister not intervene; why not invite them again? The case put forward by the workers is reasonable, having regard to the highly specialised work of the bacon factories.
I see what the Deputy is at now.
We want to get this fixed up.
In view of the seriousness of this strike, could the Minister himself not intervene and try to get the bacon curers and the representatives together?
They have been brought together. Members of the House should define what they mean by "intervene". If you intervene, you must intervene with some power to do something, and passing the word "intervene" around is not helping the situation. There is machinery there, paid for by the State, set up by the State, and further available to them, if they want to negotiate.
Mr. Wilson has intervened in Britain. This is an important strike and will have a bad effect on the farmers. Could the Minister not take the same action here and bring both parties to a conference?
Surely the Minister for Labour is an absolutely impartial party?
Deputies should appreciate that conciliation is a highly skilled task, but if you want to intervene often in disputes just because you are an elected representative and a Minister without any conciliation training, it would cause trouble in the long run. We have trained conciliation officers available. We have a Labour Court, a joint industrial council, and we have powers to set up, under the Industrial Relations Act, arbitration, if both sides agree.
Will the Minister consult the Chief Conciliation Officer about the matter?
The House can be assured we will do all we can.
It is coming near Christmas now and we want to have this type of thing squared up. I have to see these people in my constituency; I can see them within sight of my own window——
And the Deputy wants to solve the dispute by having the employers concede all claims?
I want someone to bring them together and bring this to an end. I am not worried about the bacon curers; I am worried about the workers and the farmers.
Again, I say the machinery is there.
The Minister has no objection to their conceding all claims?
No. There is the added complication of political achievements in this now.