Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 May 2023
111. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of a campaign (details supplied) which supports four workers and trade union members from Limerick who a union maintains were unfairly singled out, victimised and targeted for legitimate trade union activity. [22017/23]
View answerIreland’s system of industrial relations is essentially voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers rests in the first instance with the employer, the workers and their representatives.
I would urge the parties to come together in an effort to resolve the issues which should hopefully lead to a resolution to the current situation.
Where this cannot be achieved, the State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement mechanisms i.e. the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court to support parties in their efforts to resolve their differences. The Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court are independent statutory bodies.
It has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments to develop an institutional framework supportive of a voluntary system of industrial relations that is premised upon freedom of contract and freedom of association. There is an extensive range of statutory provisions designed to back up the voluntary bargaining process.
Under Irish law, an individual has the right to join a trade union of their choice. An individual cannot be discriminated against because they are a member of a union.
The Unfair Dismissal Acts 1977-2016 provide for a number of grounds under which a dismissal may be considered unfair, including membership or proposed membership of a trade union or engaging in trade union activities, whether within permitted times during work or outside of working hours.
