Vol. 478 No. 1
223 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the progress, if any, there has been to establish a code of practice on dispute procedures, including procedures in essential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10541/97]
The code of practice on dispute procedures including procedures in essential services drawn up by the Labour Relations Commission was published in January 1992. The code aims to ensure that disputes are resolved without recourse to industrial action by providing practical guidance on procedures for the resolution of such disputes. The code places particular emphasis on the avoidance of disputes in essential services, and sets out additional procedures and safeguards for inclusion in agreements between employers and trade unions in such services.
The Deputy will be aware that adherence to the principles contained in the code is primarily a matter for employers and trade unions. Considerable progress has been made towards improving our industrial relations and a significant contribution to that improvement has been adherence to the industrial peace clause contained in the recent national agreements. The industrial peace clause in the current agreement, Partnership 2000, in common with the code of practice on dispute procedures, emphasises the necessity to utilise third party machinery in the resolution of industrial disputes.
As part of its day-to-day work the advisory service of the Labour Relations Commission brings to the attention of employers and trade unions the codes of practice promulgated under the Industrial Relations Act, 1990.
When so requested the advisory service assists employers and trade unions with the drafting of grievance and dispute procedures which reflect the terms of the code of practice on dispute procedures including procedures in essential services.
