asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the Great Southern Railway Co. have served notice at the Inchicore and Broadstone workshops that revised rates of pay for shopmen will come into operation on 27th May next; that for the past four years shopmen have been working a 4-day week of 34 hours which is to be increased to 42½ hours per week; that the new rates of pay are based on a 47-hour week, thereby involving a substantial reduction in shopmen's wages; that weekly wages on the new basis will be approximately the same for a 5-day week as the present 4-day week; and whether in view of the possibility of a strike occurring as a result of such changes he will take steps to bring about a conference between the railway company and the trade unions affected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pay in Railway Workshops.
The Great Southern Railway Company has notified its intention to modify the rates of pay of the men employed in the company's workshops and to extend the hours of employment from 34 to 42½ per week. Should the company's proposals become the subject of a dispute, the services of my Department are at the disposal of the parties for the purpose of effecting a settlement. No request for such services has been received from either parties.