asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware that the IETA have been issued with a negotiation licence by his Department; and, if so, what this means.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Negotiating Licence Issue.
13.
The licence was issued by me. In essence it means that the holder is not committing an offence under the Trade Union Act, 1941 if it negotiates for pay and working conditions.
Is the Minister aware that in this present situation where the ESB have told those persons who have been made redundant that they may be re-employed when vacancies arise at a future date and where a guarantee exists that over 50 vacancies will occur within the board over the next 12 months, members of a particular union in dispute know that their applications for re-employment will not be entertained by the board because of their affiliation to that particular union?
I wish to repeat that the whole question of industrial relations in the ESB has been examined and was the subject of a very lengthy report known as the Fogarty Report some years ago. A serious effort has been made in recent times by both parties to bring about proper structures in the improvement of its relations. I have no intention at this stage of stepping in to upset an arrangement that is working well.
Is the Minister aware that in the event of persons who are members of this particular union reapplying for jobs that become vacant in the ESB by virtue of their affiliation to that union they will not be re-employed? Is the Minister agreeing with this? Is he willing to stand over this decision? Is he willing to stand over the situation that persons will not be re-employed because of their affiliation? This union has assured me that they have written proof of this victimisation. It is a very serious matter.
Would the fact that they have a negotiating licence not give them the right to negotiate with the ESB, especially as this union has the right to negotiate with two other employers, CIE and the Eastern Health Board? Are they permitted to negotiate with the ESB?
This is a matter between CIE and the other group of unions with whom they have set up an arrangement for negotiation.
Would they have negotiating rights with the ESB?
I have answered this question adequately. It is up to the ESB and the group of unions, and there are quite a number of them already, that have a working arrangement whereby negotiations in relation to any matter can take place.