asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the Limerick master bakers have recently increased the price of bread to consumers, although no increase in wages has been paid to bakery operatives to justify such increased prices; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Bread Price Increase.
The recent recommendation made by the Labour Court for increased wages in the bakery industry covered bakery operatives in Limerick. The court's recommendation was that wages should be increased from the first pay day in September.
I understand that the operatives in Limerick have not yet accepted the recommendation of the Labour Court. I assume that the decision of the Limerick master bakers to increase bread prices under the recent Order was based on the expectation that whatever settlement may eventually be made will involve the payment of wages at rates not less than those recommended by the Labour Court and retrospectively to September.
It seems to me that action to reduce the price of bread in Limerick, pending the settlement of future wage rates in the bakery trade there, would prejudice the prospect of a settlement on those lines. I intend, however, to keep the position under review and to take such action as the situation may require.
Is the Minister aware that the Cork bakers took similar action and increased the price of bread for one day? Then, recognising that their employees were not accepting the proposed increase, like the Limerick employees, the Cork bakers reverted to the lower price. The Limerick bakers still charge the consuming public an increased price for bread without any justification because they have not paid—and it is a matter for prophecy when they will—an increase to their workers.
I would have no objection to making an Order reducing the price of bread in Limerick, if I did not lay myself open to the accusation that thereby I was prejudicing a settlement of the dispute along the lines the bakery operatives would desire.
Is it not a first condition of a bread price increase that a wage increase is being paid, and in view of the fact that no such increase has been paid, I should like to know if the Minister will take steps to prevent the Limerick master bakers from continuing to overcharge the consumers there?
Will the Deputy assure me that whatever settlement is ultimately reached will not involve a retrospective payment to the date of the Labour Court award? I think it is a reasonable assumption having regard to the Labour Court's recommendation that these new rates should operate from the first pay-day in September that whatever settlement is made will be equally retrospective. If I were to intervene now, I would obviously be making it impossible to negotiate a settlement on that basis.
I do not wish the Minister to prejudice the proceedings in any way, but when there are conditions in the settlement announced by the Labour Court which are not acceptable to the Limerick and the Cork workers, and which they will not accept, the point is that there is no wages increase being paid. In those circumstances, the Cork master bakers went back to the old price after one day. Why should the Limerick bakers not do the same thing and let the matter be settled eventually? They have no right to charge the Limerick public an increased price.
As I have informed the Deputy, I am keeping the position under review and if the ultimate settlement should not involve retrospective payment at the rates recommended by the Labour Court to September, I will take action to deal with it.