asked the Minister for Labour whether he has taken any steps to secure a settlement in the ESB dispute; and, if not, why.
Private Notice Question: - ESB Dispute.
Mr. O'Donnell
A claim by shift workers for an incremental salary scale in place of existing weekly rates of pay has given rise to the present unofficial strike situation in the ESB. In accordance with procedures which have been negotiated within the board, the claim was processed through negotiation, conciliation and, finally, through reference to the ESB Industrial Council.
The council, in its recommendation on the dispute, stated that the claim by the shift workers could not be isolated from the total wage and salary structure of the ESB and that it involved changes such that a final resolution could be achieved only after all the implications had been fully studied by the board and the unions. The council, therefore, recommended that the unions should hold the claim in suspense until the negotiations relating to a new agreement—to become operative on 1st April, 1973—took place. The council, nevertheless, accepted that incremental salary scales, in a grading structure, for shift workers, with associated benefits, would have to be granted not later than 1st April, 1973. The council further accepted that it was the board's firm intention, and that the board was committed, to pay shift workers on an incremental salary basis from April, 1973.
The shift workers, however, and against the advice of the group of unions negotiating on their behalf, rejected the recommendation of the Industrial Council and served strike notice on the ESB to take effect as from today. The dispute is, therefore, not one of principle but of time, the shift workers, through their own association, saying that they are not prepared to wait for the conclusion of negotiations which their trade unions are conducting on behalf of the shift workers and other workers who are also concerned. The contention appears to be that the shift workers, because of their importance, and because of their power to disrupt, must have their claim considered in isolation from the claims being pursued by their unions on behalf of all the workers in the ESB who are affected.
Over the last few years very intensive negotiations have been going on between the ESB and the many unions which represent their employees to arrive at new structures and procedures for industrial relations within the ESB. Considering the difficulties involved, good progress has been made. Direct intervention by me now in this dispute could put all this progress at naught and this is a view which is shared by those in touch with the situation. In any event my intervention should not be necessary. The shift workers could return to work and allow the negotiations to continue, for the sooner these get under way the sooner agreement can be reached on implementing a programme to harmonise conditions for all ESB workers, including the incremental salary scales which the unions are claiming. The ESB has committed itself in principle to this in the context of negotiating a new comprehensive charter for all ESB workers.
I represent an area part of which is totally dependent on electricity for access to amenities—I refer to the high rise dwellings built by the Government. There are seven 14-storey flats, and 21 eight-storey flats served by lifts which are powered by electricity. In view of the fact that over 1,800 families live in the eight-storey flats and 560 families in the 14-storey flats who, since noon today, have been effectively cut off from the amenities in the area, would the Minister communicate with the Minister for Transport and Power with a view to providing an emergency generator to provide electricity in that area?
I had recommendations regarding this matter already in many other similar types of cases.
Will any progress be made in regard to Ballymun where there are over 8,000 children involved and 2,000 families? The last time there was an electricity strike, and during the maintenance strike, these families suffered great hardship and were in danger in the high rise flats due to the fact that the lifts were not operating and the people could not get up and down easily?
(Cavan): Does the Minister not agree that, in view not alone of the hardship being caused to the whole country by this strike but also in view of the danger to life and the danger to the health of our people, there is an obligation on the Government to bring the strike to an end immediately, irrespective of how it is brought to an end? That is the Government's business. Does the Minister not agree that there is no use in standing idly by and letting things take their course while, in the meantime, people are to be punished and tortured and perhaps killed as a result? Does the Minister not agree that it is the duty of the Government to intervene in some way or another and bring this strike to an end?
What way would the Deputy suggest?
(Cavan): That is the Taoiseach's business.
That is the very type of action that would bring absolute chaos into the whole procedure of industrial relations in the ESB. It is the very type of thing we have been advised not to do.
Who advised the Minister not to intervene in the strike?
The people concerned.
What people?
The House need not try scoring off the situation.
The Minister is leaving us in the dark.
The position is being handled in the way we consider best.
Recognising the industrial relations principle that is involved, can the Minister not arrange, without prejudice to that position, for some other personnel to man and work the machinery that the strikers normally use? I understand that there is no great technical difficulty about this. Would the Minister not consider using the Army? That would not prejudice the industrial relations position.
The Minister and the Government have considered every possible development in relation to this strike.
(Interruptions.)
Has the Minister considered the development of using the Army to man the power stations?
I said we considered every possibility.
Has the Minister considered that one? Has the Minister a contingency plan to deal with the situation if the power continues at its present level over a week?
This discussion is doing nothing to ease the situation.
(Interruptions.)