New Industrial Relations legislation will strengthen workers" rights
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has welcomed the passing of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015 in the Dáil (Thursday, 16th July).
Responding to the legislation, Congress General Secretary Patricia King said that "it strengthens workers" rights by allowing trade unions to represent members at the Labour Court where employers refuse to recognise unions, and for the Labour Court to make a determination in a dispute, which can then be enforced by way of a Circuit Court order".
"Critically, it also contains measures to prevent workers from being victimised through dismissal, specifically the right to seek injunctive relief prior to any attempted dismissal taking place," Ms King added.
The legislation removes a significant obstacle to advancing the pay and conditions of all workers by addressing most of the deficits exposed by the 2007 Supreme Court ruling and bringing union rights in Ireland into line with international norms.* It also defines what constitutes "collective bargaining" and offers guidelines to help the Labour Court identify if internal bargaining bodies are genuinely independent of their employer.
This is an important milestone in the struggle for workers" and human rights in Ireland and can help to play a key role in the creation of a more equal and fairer society. The right to join a union and bargain collectively for fair pay and fair conditions of employment is critical to a fair workplace and, as our economy enters recovery, is the only way to ensure employees enjoy bargaining power on a par with the employer.
The inclusion in the legislation of provisions by which unions and employers can conclude Registered Employment Agreements in individual enterprises is also very welcome.
*A 2007 ruling from the Supreme Court - in a case involving Ryanair and Impact - rendered existing legislation on collective bargaining inoperable, in the view and experience of trade unions.
