asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of the 12 week lock-out by a company (name supplied) in Waterford; if he will take immediate steps to ensure that in future companies accepting State grants will respect workers' rights in the matter of membership of a trade union; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Industrial Dispute.
15.
I am aware that there was an industrial dispute between a trade union and the company concerned and that the recent settlement includes recognition of the trade unions.
In the course of negotiations with firms contemplating the establishment of factories in this country, it has been the practice of the Industrial Development Authority to advise them fully of the situation in relation to trade unions and to inform them that if they decide to locate a factory here the employees will be, or will become, trade union members and the trade union will seek the right to negotiate with the management in relation to pay and working conditions for its members. In the interests of good employee-management relations the Industrial Development Authority suggests to the management that it should take the initiative by approaching the trade union at an early stage with a view to formulating agreements for negotiating procedures.
Where applications for grants or factory space on the Industrial Development Authority's industrial estates are approved, it is not possible to impose legal obligations in relation to trade union membership for employees. However, the current policy of the Industrial Development Authority is to approve applications only where there is an understanding that management, if approached by a trade union with members employed in the factory, will negotiate with the union in relation to pay and working conditions of such members.
My predecessors expressed in the House on several occasions their belief that it is in the best interest of a firm to recognise a trade union catering for its employees. I should like to say that I fully share that belief.