Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012
438 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to any industrial relations issues at a company (details supplied) in County Louth; if he has been in contact with the employers, the workers or the State’s industrial relations machinery in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18037/12]
View answer455 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the situation at a company (details supplied); if the company has failed to abide by the terms of Labour Court recommendations; if the company has withheld moneys which are owed to their employees; if he will intervene directly in this matter to ensure the workers gain their full rights and entitlements. [18730/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 455 together.
Industrial action by 110 workers at the Irish Cement production plants at Platin, Co. Meath and Castlemungret, Co. Limerick began on 3rd April last.
I understand that the Labour Court's most recent Recommendation of January 2012 in relation to this dispute was the culmination of a protracted dialogue between the company and the group of unions representing the workers on restructuring issues that had already involved three successive Labour Court Recommendations.
The Labour Court noted in its Recommendation of last January that it was not in a position, on the basis of the information provided through a report of a Financial Assessor undertaken following agreement between the parties, to make a definitive recommendation on an adjustment of pay rates and pay structures for the future. The Labour Court had, accordingly, urged the parties to engage with each other regarding the total cost base of the company.
The Labour Relations Commission was subsequently closely involved in facilitating talks between the company and the group of unions which were aimed at finding an agreed solution to the matters in dispute. That process of dialogue proceeded to the stage at which proposals for a settlement of the dispute were rejected by the trade unions concerned and a work stoppage commenced.
According to the company, pay rates in the company have remained unchanged since 2008 and currently are 60% higher than the average industrial wage for unionised staff, despite the unprecedented deterioration in the Irish construction sector.
According to the Irish cement group of unions, the company has insisted that a pay cut is implemented before outstanding bonuses are paid.
I would urge the parties involved in this dispute to have regard to the continuing availability of the industrial relations dispute resolution bodies to assist them in seeking a settlement and in addressing the underlying challenge of a major restructuring of the company in the face of the dramatic changes in the building industry.
