Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2021
216. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a response to a Labour Court ruling (details supplied) and the implications that this will have to public service staff during the Covid-19 pandemic and in the years ahead. [57126/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for this question.
The Labour Court ruling concerns 10 administrative staff of Shannon Commercial Properties who were moved for a period of time from a 5 day week to a 3 day week working pattern and corresponding reduction in pay in response to the impacts of COVID-19 on Shannon Group. The trade union submits that as the staff concerned are public servants, they should be protected from short time working by a statement of Government in March 2020 to the effect that public servants would remain working and would be available to transfer anywhere in the public service.
The Labour Court recommended that the Department of Transport clarify whether Government policy during the pandemic can be taken to mean that these public servants were protected from short time working notwithstanding the commercial position of the employer.
I can confirm that my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to seek clarification on whether Government policy during the pandemic can be taken to mean that these public servants were protected from short time working, given that DPER has policy responsibility in relation to the terms and conditions of employment for Civil and Public Servants.
