asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of reports that trade union officials have been barred from entering construction sites in County Mayo; the steps he proposes to take to protect the rights of workers to organise into trade unions and to have access to trade union officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Mayo Trade Union Rights .
7.
: I am aware that the Federation of Western Trade Union Councils is critical of the fact that, as the federation sees it, union officials are being denied the oportunity of organising workers at Knock Airport. On the other hand the chairman of the development company states that trade union officials have not been banned from the site.
The question of trade union representation is a matter for resolution between the employer and the trade unions involved. In the event of a dispute arising the Labour Court and their industrial relations services are available, on request, to assist the parties to reach a settlement.
: In view of the fact that the State has provided all the funds to date for the building of Knock Airport, would the Minister not agree that the Government should have an interest in whether or not trade unions are allowed to organise on the site?
: The contracts that exist are contracts between promoters of the project, Connacht Airport Development Company Limited, and the individual contractor. My information is that those contracts contain a clause that the contractor shall recognise the freedom of his work people to be members of trade unions. I understand the contractor does recognise that, though obviously there is a dispute on the facts.
: In view of the fact that the State has provided all the funds for this project and that it is normal practice, as the Minister indicated, for contracts to allow workers to organise in trade unions, then, if the contractors are not allowing this organisation to take place and are refusing admittance to trade union officials to the site, will the Minister not get in touch with the contractors concerned and insist that they allow the trade union movement to organise on the site?
: That might arise if there was any agreement about the facts, but there is no agreement about the facts. The contractor maintains that the workers are free to join a union and the unions are obviously unhappy about the situation. Until there is some clarity about the facts I do not think I can do anything further.
: There is no dispute about the contractor preventing the men from joining the union, but he can prevent them from entering the site if they are members of a trade union. He is refusing to allow the trade union officials to enter the site to organise on the site.
: The chairman of the development company states that trade union officials have not been banned from the site. The union say it is otherwise. In those circumstances, if a dispute arises, clearly the Labour Court and the industrial relations services are available.
: Will the Minister of State indicate that he will contact the contractors and insist that they allow the trade union movement to organise on the site?
: The question of trade union organisation on the site has already been dealt with within the contract. The contract entered into by the developers and the contractors contains a clause in the terms I have stated guaranteeing freedom to join a union.
: Arising out of the Minister's reply and in view of the statements made by two different parties, as stated by the Minister — the statement made by the employers and the statement made by the trade unions — does he not accept that it is his responsibility to establish the factual situation that applies there? Would he not, as a matter of urgency, have an investigation carried out by officials of his Department who are competent to do so and let the House know what the position is without relying on comments from one side or the other?
: This is the same as in any other dispute. The question of trade union representation is a matter for resolution in the first instance between the parties to that dispute — in this instance between the contractor and the unions who would seek to be involved. In the event of a dispute arising, then the Labour Court and its industrial relations services are available on request to assist each of the parties to the settlement. As at this moment it has not been established that any individual workers have wanted to join a union and are being inhibited. If any such suggestion arises then the agencies are available to assist.
: It is about trade union recognition.