asked the Minister for Labour the steps he intends to take to protect the constitutional right to work of people unable to obtain membership of a trade union. despite application for such membership, and who are accordingly unable to avail of offers of jobs such as those in the printing industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade Union Membership.
5.
The conditions under which trade unions admit persons into membership are a matter for the trade unions themselves. At present the redress open to an individual who feels that his constitutional rights have have been infringed is to refer his case to the civil courts. This is a matter which I hope will be examined by the commission which I propose to set up to look into the whole area of industrial relations.
Would the Minister accept that it is a very serious issue if jobs are available and people, through no fault of their own, are not allowed to take them up, and would he accept that the Government and the Minister for Labour have a moral responsibility and other responsibilities in this area?
I am sure the Deputy is probably aware of the breakdown of the basis and membership of the trade unions covering the printing industry. I am sure he is also aware that the apprenticeship intake over the last three years averaged from 12 to 20. This year it is up to about 35. A number of years back it was in the region of 100. The message I am conveying to the Deputy is that the decline in the number is indicative of the unemployment and redundancy in the printing trade and, consequently, trade unions in that trade like trade unions in other trades will be reluctant to consider applications for membership until such time as their out-or-work members are re-employed.
Will the Minister agree that these may not necessarily be as well qualified or as good in terms of doing the job as people looking for work and not being enabled to compete? Is he as concerned as I would be about ensuring the right of equal opportunity to compete? I appreciate the unemployment position but what about equality of opportunity to compete?
If an individual feels his constitutional rights are being interfered with he can apply to the courts.
Does the Minister not accept the fact that someone who goes to the court and is successful there may find himself subsequently in a hostile working environment? Surely that is not a realistic answer. Is the Minister not being very naive in what he says about a man pursuing this right through the court?
The Minister is quite frank. He is aware and concerned too about any people unemployed in any industry but I have pointed out to the Deputy problems for the trade union movement in the printing industry at the moment.
Does the Minister accept that he has a responsibility to people who are highly qualified, who have had offers of jobs but who cannot take them up because they are refused a union card?
If the Deputy will give my the details I will certainly investigate the matter.