Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD86643 Case Number: LCR10801 Section / Act: S67 Parties: TELECOM EIREANN - and - P.O.O.A |
Dispute concerning working conditions at Hely Buildings, Central Telephone Exchange, Dublin.
Recommendation:
6. The Court notes that the various complaints made by the
Association are being attended to by the Company and recommends
that the Association accept that the appropriate steps are being
taken to rectify the causes of complaint.
Division: Mr Fitzgerald Mr Collins Ms Ni Mhurchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD86643 THE LABOUR COURT LCR10801
Section 20(1) INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
RECOMMENDATION NO. 10,801
Parties: TELECOM EIREANN
and
POST OFFICE OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION
Subject:
1. Dispute concerning working conditions at Hely Buildings,
Central Telephone Exchange, Dublin.
Background:
2. There are 158 day staff and 128 night staff working in the Hely
Telephone Exchange. Prior to the 1st January, 1984, the Exchange
was part of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. The
Department's premises were not subject to inspection under the
provisions of the Office Premises Act, but because of the change in
status from Government Department to semi-State Company, the
premises are now subject to an annual inspection by Dublin
Corporation (the first such inspection took place on the 2nd May,
1986).
3. The Association sought local level negotiations with Management
to discuss a number of problems relating to the working conditions
prevailing in the premises in question. Because of the Company's
refusal to negotiate at local level, the Association referred the
matter to the Labour Court under Section 20(1) of the Industrial
Relations Act, 1969. A Court hearing took place on the 2nd
October, 1986.
Association's arguments:
4. (a) A major problem in the premises in question is the
absence of a proper ventilation system. The only way
to get fresh air is to open windows, which in turn can
lead to harmful draughts. The absence of a proper
system of ventilation has caused a variety of health
problems and has led to conflict among the staff.
(b) The following is a list of some of the other areas of
complaint:-
(i) no means of securing some of the toilet doors,
(ii) toilets with no seats,
(iii) sinks without stoppers,
(iv) broken soap dispensers,
(v) frequent break-downs of the lift.
(c) Following a request by the Association to have the
areas in dispute inspected, the Environmental Health
Officer in Dublin Corporation examined the premises and
found a number of defects which were brought to the
attention of the Company. To date the Association has
not seen a copy of the Health Officer's Report.
Company's arguments:
5. (i) Following an inspection of the Company's premises last
May, by the Environmental Health Officer of Dublin
Corporation, a number of defects were found. These
were reported to the Company and the vast majority have
now been rectified by its building division. The
Company's mechanical and electrical section is at
present designing a new ventilation system for the
switch rooms in the building.
(ii) Labour Court Recommendation 10,445 dealt with a similar
claim from the Association concerning St. Andrew Street
Telephone Exchange. That recommendation states:
"The Court notes that the grievances outlined in
the submissions to the Court are now being dealt
with by the Company through the offices of Dublin
Corporation under the Offices (Premises) Act and
recommends that the claimants accept this as the
most appropriate method of rectifying the general
position".
(c) Labour Court Recommendation 10,637 also dealt with a
similar claim regarding Dame Court Telephone Exchange.
That recommendation states:
"The Court notes that the various complaints made
by the Association are being dealt with by the
Company and recommends that the Association
accepts that all the appropriate steps are being
taken to rectify any causes of complaint".
RECOMMENDATION:
6. The Court notes that the various complaints made by the
Association are being attended to by the Company and recommends
that the Association accept that the appropriate steps are being
taken to rectify the causes of complaint.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Nicholas Fitzgerald
13th November, 1986 -------------------
D.H./U Deputy Chairman