I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this issue. I would like to share my time with my deputy leader, Deputy O'Rourke.
Adjournment Debate. - Dundalk (Louth) Plant.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
I raised the question of the AIBP Goodman company in Ravensdale, Dundalk, with the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Deputy Richard Bruton, last January in the context of other job losses in the Dundalk area. At that time this dispute was in its infancy. The Minister said he could not comment on what was in effect a trade dispute, that he would not get involved and that there were various procedures by which the employees and the management in this company could get together.
I am again raising it because of the sense of frustration on the part of the employees about the way in which they have been treated during this débâcle. The company, in breach of long-standing arrangements relating to pay and conditions, tried to introduce lower rates of pay to such an extent that the employees would receive in the region of £60 per week less for a similar week's work. Obviously this caused difficulties with the employees who threatened strike action. In effect, the company did not enter into negotiations with the employees or their union. The problem has continued from last year and we are at a Mexican stand-off. The reason I raise the matter is that the long-established procedures for the settlement of disputes have come to a halt and this has led to grave dissatisfaction. In addition the union and the employees regard themselves as being locked out. The company has literally closed the factory and has bought another factory in Clones. The work formerly done in the Ravensdale, Dundlak, plant is being done in Clones.
Of all the disputes here during the past number of years the way in which this dispute has been handled by the company is reprehensible. The employees want to know their status, whether they have been laid off, if they will get back to the company or if the company is using the dispute as a reason for closing the factory. They are on social welfare for months and want to know their status in that regard. They are frustrated and dissatisfied that the various dispute mechanisms, such as the Labour Court and the Labour Relations Commission, who have been asked to intervene, are not working.
I am disappointed the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Deputy Bruton, is not present to hear what I have to say. This is a case where the dispute settling procedures put in place are not working and have not worked. The company is doing everything in its power to frustrate the procedures. I ask the Minister to intervene.
I support my colleague on this important matter. This is an issue which, if not resolved, will have far reaching repercussions. My colleague, as Deputy for that area, has been active on various matters concerning industrial policy in his constituency and regards this matter as extremely serious.
I speak as spokesperson for enterprise and employment. In difficult times when so many issues fall to be addressed within that sphere, it is not always correct for a Minister to decide to stay out of an issue and allow dispute settling agencies and the forces that guide them to decide an issue. This is a serious matter on which I wish to join my colleague in strongly requesting ministerial intervention.
I will reply on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Deputy Bruton. I appreciate the comments of Deputies Ahern and O'Rourke. I understand this dispute stems from a suspension of production by the company, arising from which a number of production employees have been laid off. While the union, on behalf of the employees involved, suggests that its members have been "locked-out", the company says the plant is not viable, due to lack of modern processing facilities.
It is heartening that both parties have availed of the services of the Labour Relations Commission in attempting to resolve their differences, but disappointing that, thus far, they have been unable to agree a resolution of the dispute. I understand there was a meeting with the Labour Relations Commission eight to ten weeks ago. I gather the parties have recently agreed to refer the dispute to the Labour Court for investigation and recommendation and that it will be referred to the Labour Court next week.
I take this opportunity to urge the parties to continue their efforts to achieve an acceptable resolution of this dispute and, if required to continue to avail of all the services of the dispute settling agencies of the State.