asked the Minister for Local Government if he will take steps to ensure that clerical staff and manual workers employed by local authorities enjoy the same annual leave and leave with pay on bank holidays and church holidays.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Employees' Leave Entitlement.
12.
The leave entitlement of local authority staff both clerical and manual is traditionally a matter for negotiation between the local authorities as employers and their employees and I do not propose to intervene.
Could I ask the Minister if he would agree that there is discrimination between the leave and holiday arrangements available to clerical staff and those available to most manual staff, and if he considers that this discrimination should be brought to an end?
I do not agree there is discrimination. This has been discussed between the trade unions representing the employees and the local authorities over the years. Satisfactory arrangements have been made and this has been accepted.
Does the Minister not consider it anomalous that on church holidays the council offices remain closed and the clerical staff are free, with pay, while the manual workers have to report for work? Does he consider it equitable that the clerical staff should enjoy 18 days' holiday while the manual staff are limited to 15 days' annual leave? There is serious discrimination within the local government structure in respect of some local authorities. The one I am referring to is the Galway local authority.
It may be that the Galway outdoor staff have, through their trade union, negotiated for working on church holidays and so have got some other days instead. However, I am satisfied that the proper way to decide those things is to allow the trade unions to negotiate with the employer. I am aware of years ago when there was discrimination, when road workers got one week's holidays and nobody thought of saying anything about it in government. I am glad I was responsible from the other side of the fence in having substantial improvements made in the holiday entitlement of road workers, including those in Galway.
Would the Minister not consider this whole matter with a view to eliminating this type of discrimination?
I have no function in it. Therefore, there is no point in considering it. I would imagine if the people concerned are dissatisfied they would ask their trade union to take it up. I have no function in the matter and I think it would be wrong if I intervened at this stage.
The Minister does not care.
I cared when the Deputy did not even know what a roadworker was.