FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990 SECTION 20(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1969 PARTIES : ST COLMCILLE'S CREDIT UNION - AND - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Mr Hayes Employer Member: Ms Doyle Worker Member: Ms Tanham |
1. 1. Union recognition for the purpose of collective bargaining; 2. Review of pay rates; 3. Pension scheme; 4. Sick pay scheme.
BACKGROUND:
2. This dispute arose from the Employer's refusal to recognise the Union for the purposes of collecting bargaining and other issues. The Workers referred this case to the Labour Court on the 21st January, 2013, in accordance with Section 20(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1969, and agreed to be bound by the Court's Recommendation. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 2nd May, 2013. The Employer declined to attend the hearing.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1.SIPTU is the largest trade union representing workers in the credit union sector.
2.This is the only credit union that has refused to recognise a trade union.
3.The Workers have a right to be represented collectively by a trade union.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Employer in this case decided not to attend the Court Hearing or make submissions on the issues in dispute between the parties. This is regrettable, as the consequence was that Court did not have the opportunity to consider the matters in dispute from the employer’s perspective.
Having considered the uncontested submission of the Union side the Court finds merit in the claim and recommends that the Employer should recognise the Trade Union for collective bargaining purposes. The Court further recommends that the parties should enter into immediate discussions to conclude a framework agreement for the management of that relationship. Thereafter the parties should proceed to address the substantive issues in dispute.
In the event that the parties cannot reach agreement on any of these matters the Court recommends that they should avail of the services of the Labour Relations Commission and in due course, if necessary, refer any matters that remain in dispute to this Court for a definitive Recommendation.
The Court so recommends.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Brendan Hayes
20th May, 2013______________________
JMcCDeputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Jonathan McCabe, Court Secretary.