62 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Labour if, in the aftermath of the recent stoppage in Dublin Bus, which arose virtually without notice and without ballot, he will give details of the steps he has taken with the union concerned and with management to try to ensure that habitual stoppages of this nature at Dublin Bus cease to occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under our system of industrial relations which is based on the principle of free collective bargaining, it is primarily a matter for the parties to a dispute to resolve their differences. The State facilitates the collective bargaining process by providing machinery through the Labour Court and the Rights Commissioners to enable parties to reach a settlement.
In the recent dispute at Dublin Bus a resumption of work was agreed as a result of the intervention of an industrial relations officer of the Labour Court. Efforts are continuing to get a formula which would help to prevent stoppages of this nature in the future.
I would point out that the Industrial Relations Bill contains a provision which requires trade union rule books to contain a rule providing for secret ballots before industrial action is taken.
