Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD93678 Case Number: LCR14370 Section / Act: S20(1) Parties: AUTOMAT AND TOOLING LIMITED - and - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION |
Dispute concerning Union recognition.
Recommendation:
In accordance with the custom and practice of the Labour Court,
the Court recommends that the Company agree to recognise the
Union's right to represent and negotiate on behalf of those
employees which they have in membership.
Division: Ms Owens Mr McHenry Mr Rorke
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD93678 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR14370
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990
SECTION 20(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1969
PARTIES:
AUTOMAT AND TOOLING LIMITED
(REPRESENTED BY THE IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS' CONFEDERATION)
AND
SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Dispute concerning Union recognition.
BACKGROUND:
2. 1. Automat and Tooling Limited is located in Ballymote, Co.
Sligo and employs 52 people. On 15th September, 1993, the
Company was informed by the Union that a number of employees
had joined the Union and it sought a date for a meeting to
discuss terms and conditions of employment.
2. The issue was referred to the Labour Relations
Commission and a conciliation conference was scheduled for
15th December, 1993. Prior to this conciliation conference a
workers' council was established in the Company on 30th
November, 1993. The Union referred the issue to the Labour
Court under Section 20(1) of the Industrial Relations Act,
1969, on 1st December, 1993. The Court investigated the
matter on 7th March, 1994 in Sligo.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. A vast majority of the production workers are in
membership of the Union.
2. The workers' council does not address any of the
difficulties which are being experienced in the plant.
3. The Company has made no effort to meet with the Union to
discuss representation and negotiation rights on behalf
of the workers.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The Company, since its establishment in 1979, has
demonstrated by virtue of its track record a mature
approach to the maintenance of good industrial relations
within the Company. All issues have been resolved
locally without the involvement of outside parties on
either the Company's or employees' parts in direct
negotiation.
2. The works committee, although recently established, has
been very active.
3. The terms and conditions of employment at the Company
are very favourable to the workers.
4. The number of workers who are members of the Union is
very small.
RECOMMENDATION:
In accordance with the custom and practice of the Labour Court,
the Court recommends that the Company agree to recognise the
Union's right to represent and negotiate on behalf of those
employees which they have in membership.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
14th March, 1994. Evelyn Owens
P.O'C./A.L. _______________
Deputy Chairman
Note
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to
Mr. Paul O'Connor, Court Secretary.