FULL RECOMMENDATION
SECTION 20(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1969 PARTIES : EXTERN - AND - A GROUP OF WORKERS (REPRESENTED BY UNITE THE UNION) DIVISION : Chairman: Mr Hayes Employer Member: Ms Connolly Worker Member: Ms Tanham |
1. No Collective Bargaining Or Means To Address Issues.
BACKGROUND:
2. On 26 February 2018 the Union referred the matter to the Labour Court 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 28 March 2018.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
- The Union's members voted against participating in the staff/management consultative forum as they believe it did not provide a means for negotiating or engaging collectively in order to secure agreements regarding terms and conditions of employment.
- The Company recognises a Union for collective bargaining purposes in Northern Ireland.
ORGANISATION'S ARGUMENTS: - The Organisation established a consultative forum which allows staff and management to discuss items such as: pay and reward, policies, employment recognition initiatives and Health and Safety.
- The Organisation also has very competitive additional benefits including enhanced maternity and sick pay scheme , pension scheme, income continuance plan, death-in-service benefit, career breaks and generous annual leave entitlement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Having given careful consideration to the extensive submissions of both parties to this dispute the Court recommends that the Organisation should recognise the Union as the representative of those employees who are in membership of the Union and should engage with it in dealing with current and future employment related matters arising within the employment affecting those members.
The Court so recommends
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Brendan Hayes
JD______________________
29 March 18Deputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to John Deegan, Court Secretary.