asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the unsightly appearance of Limerick city and the hazard to health arising out of the work to rule by cleansing staff of Limerick Corporation which has lasted for more than a month; and if he will now sanction the agreement that was come to several months ago between the cleansing staff and the corporation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Corporation Cleaning Staff.
11.
I understand that no agreement has been made between the corporation and the group of employees referred to. The Deputy may have in mind a productivity agreement between the corporation and union representatives of housing maintenance workers, to which the corporation have sought my approval. This matter has recently been the subject of discussions between officers of my Department and officers of the corporation and also of discussions between officers of the corporation and union representatives. Among the matters discussed was the question of a Labour Court hearing. These discussions have not yet been concluded.
Is the Minister aware that this work to rule, as it is described, has been going on since 8th March last and that the city of Limerick is in a filthy condition and that, in addition, there is now a serious health hazard about which the medical profession are beginning to become concerned? In the circumstances could the Minister now sanction the agreement which was come to which would enable this work to rule to cease immediately?
Deputy O'Malley, as well as many other people, is under the impression that this is a dispute between the cleansing staff and the corporation over an agreement. It is no such thing. They are carrying out a work to rule in sympathy with the building group who are arguing about an increase. Because of what happened—the timing of the application and the fact that an offer was made by the corporation which was not accepted by the union concerned at the particular time and that subsequently the unions offered to accept it—the suggestion has been made that the Labour Court is the proper vehicle to deal with this matter and at present this is being considered. I imagine the Labour Court hearing will take place in the near future. I am as anxious, although I do not live there, as the Deputy to have the streets of Limerick cleared up. I agree they appear to be pretty bad but I want to make clear that it is not the cleansing staff who are seeking the implementation of an agreement affecting them. The agreement does not affect them; it affects a different type of worker.
Is the Minister aware that the same union represents the maintenance men and the cleansing staff and that this is the reason for the work to rule by the cleansing staff. If the agreement in question were sanctioned by the Minister the work to rule as far as the cleansing staff are concerned would come to an end.
I am sure that if the agreement the Deputy refers to were implemented there would be no work to rule but obviously, from the Deputy's question, he thought that the work to rule was in support of a claim by the cleansing staff themselves. That is not so.
It amounts to the same thing. I am aware that there is an agreement between the corporation and the maintenance staff on productivity and that this is the root of the problem. If the Minister allowed that agreement to be implemented the appalling situation now existing in Limerick would come to an end. There is no point in quibbling about details.
Order. A brief supplementary question.
The Minister should know that the situation in Limerick is very serious.
I could have replied to Deputy O'Malley's question by simply saying there was no agreement, The question he asked me refers to a group of workers who have no agreement. Deputy O'Malley should have known that as a member of Limerick Corporation. Instead of doing that, I gave him the particulars. I am anxious, and I am sure he is too, that this dispute should come to an end. I believe there is a possibility of this happening. I do not want to make the matter any worse. An agreement which was offered was not accepted at the time. Therefore, it is not correct to say an agreement exists. An offer was made subsequently and it was accepted. It had been rejected before.
There is now agreement.
A very brief supplementary. I have allowed the Deputy considerable latitude.
This matter is very important.
I appreciate that.
Limerick city is in a filty and dangerous condition. Is the Minister aware that the Labour Court have fixed 19th May next to commence a hearing on this matter? It is unlikely, therefore, that they could give any finding before the end of May, or near the end of May, which is a month away. Would the Minister use his good offices to ensure that the Labour Court will hear the matter in dispute within the next couple of days because of the health hazards in Limerick?
If the date of 19th May has been fixed I assume there is a possibility that the work to rule might stop. This is usual in trade union disputes. The decision on the dispute could be given in a matter of a day or two. I would imagine that is more likely than that it will take several weeks. I will do what I can about it.
Could the Minister have the date brought forward?
I doubt if that would be possible but I will try.