Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 2

Written Answers. - Industrial Relations.

Michael McDowell

Question:

29 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, in view of the industrial relations defects which were identified in recent disputes in both public and private sector companies, the plans, if any, he has to promote better industrial relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3388/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

I assume the Deputy is referring to recent disputes that arose, in the main, as a result of rationalisation/restructuring measures which were by their very nature extremely complex and sensitive. The State's dispute-settling bodies, the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court worked well and effectively with a view to bringing about resolutions to these disputes. The fact that it was not possible to achieve earlier settlements in these instances could not be attributed to these bodies. Dealing with such complex issues as restructuring and change on a large scale is more difficult, if not addressed in good time by firms and their workforces and with the optimum involvement of the workforces.

It should be borne in mind that, ultimately, responsibility for good industrial relations and dispute resolution in any organisation lies primarily with its management, employees and unions. In order to improve industrial relations at the level of the workplace, the Labour Relations Commission has set up an advisory service to assist management and unions to develop good industrial relations policies, practices and procedures.The service has helped a number of public and private sector enterprises to improve the ways in which they conduct their industrial relations and I would encourage its use by management and unions. To build on the valuable work done by the advisory service, I am in the process of allocating additional resources to it. For its part, I understand that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is reviewing its procedures in the light of difficulties that arose in recent high-profile disputes. I welcome this initiative and await its outcome with interest.

The Government recognises the need for the greater involvement of, and participation by, both employers and employees in meeting the challenges faced by their enterprises due to increasing trade competition, the globalisation of trade and the accelerated pace of change. In response to a question earlier today, I informed the House of the measures that my Department is taking to assist in achieving this greater involvement.

In conclusion, with regard to industrial relations generally, it is worth mentioning that the number of strikes and days lost through strikes in 1994 was the lowest on record.