Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016
778. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is aware that the terms and conditions of employment of staff at Waterford Airport have been negatively altered, that a ballot for industrial action is under way and that the airport receives significant State funding; the action she will take to protect the rights of these workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21036/16]
View answerThere is a robust suite of employment rights legislation in place providing protection for employees, including legislation governing working time and pay.
I understand the dispute at issue relates to the proposed reduction in hours for staff members due to prevailing commercial conditions. I would like to assure the Deputy that the State’s industrial relations machinery is available to assist in the resolution of said disputes and I would urge the parties to engage with them in order to resolve their differences in this instance. Even what often appears to be intractable disputes is capable of resolution where both sides engage constructively and in good faith in this voluntary process. The principle of good faith implies that both sides in a dispute make every effort to reach an agreement and endeavour, through genuine and constructive negotiations, to arrive at a conclusion that is satisfactory to all concerned.
Ireland’s system of industrial relations is, essentially, voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers, whether in redundancy or other collective disputes, rests with the employer, the workers and their representatives. The State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement mechanisms to support parties in their efforts to resolve their differences.
