asked the Minister for Labour if he will establish a joint labour committee to cover part-time and full-time workers in the retail, catering and fast food industry throughout the country.
Written Answers. - Joint Labour Committee.
34.
The present position is that the employment regulation order made by the Catering Joint Labour Committee covers part-time and full-time workers in most of the catering and fast food industry throughout the State, except the county boroughs of Dublin and Cork and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire.
The ERO made under the Industrial Relations Act, 1946, fixes statutory rates of pay and regulates statutory conditions of employment in establishments who are engaged in the preparation of food or drink or the service of food or drink or in work incidental to the preparation and service of food in a catering establishment.
It is open to any trade union or organisation claiming to be representative of any class, type or group of workers to apply to the Labour Court to have the employment regulation order with respect to the catering industry extended to those areas currently excluded.
There are at present no joint labour committees for the retail trade. However, a registered employment agreement exists in this area which covers wholesale or retail establishments in Dublin and Dún Laoghaire whose business is the sale of footwear, clothing, headgear, drapery or haberdashery. This registered employment agreement sets out minimum rates of pay and conditions of employment of workers in establishments affected by the agreement.
Parties to an employment agreement who are substantially representative of the appropriate workers and employers can apply to the Labour Court to have that employment agreement registered with the court. Such a registered employment agreement then sets the legally binding minimum wage rate and other terms and conditions for all workers in the category it covers.