Vol. 399 No. 1
42 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Labour the action, if any, he proposes to take to establish a joint labour committee on a national basis for the fast food-convenience-take-away retail sector for both full-time and part-time workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The employment regulation order made by the catering joint labour committee covers part-time and full-time workers in most fast-food establishments throughout the State, except the County Boroughs of Dublin and Cork and the Borough of Dun Laoghaire.
The ERO made under the Industrial Relations Act, 1946, fixes statutory rates of pay and regulates statutory conditions of employment of workers in catering 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. There is provision in the ERO for the payment of part-time and casual workers on a pro-rata basis.
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. There is provision in the REA for the payment of part-time and casual workers on a pro-rata basis.
