Collective Bargaining legislation passes all stages - Nash
16 July 2015
Labour Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD has announced that the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015 has passed all stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas. This legislation provides for significant reforms to Ireland’s industrial relations laws.
The new law will provide an improved framework for workers who seek to better their terms and conditions where collective bargaining is not in place. It contains strong anti-victimisation elements to protect workers who pursue such claims and also provides for any collective agreement to be enforced through the Circuit Court, should an employer refuse to do so.
Minister Nash said, “I believe this new law will form a legally and constitutionally robust basis to improve industrial relations in this country after a period of uncertainty and it is part of a package of measures we are introducing in order to promote the dignity at work agenda. It will also help to prevent a race to the bottom in terms of pay, skills, training and terms and conditions of employment.
“The re-introduction of a legal framework for REAs will be of benefit to both workers and their employers. Such agreements may be used in resolving industrial disputes or potential disputes – some of which have emerged following the 2013 Supreme Court ruling. They can also provide certainty into the future for workers and employers, particularly those going through significant change, such as those in Aer Lingus.
“Good industrial relations that result in harmonious workplaces serve workers, employers and our country well and this legislation goes to the core of ensuring that the tools are in place to allow that to happen. I wish to pay tribute again to all involved in contributing to the development of these proposals.”
The enactment of the collective bargaining legislation is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and was also included the Statement of Priorities agreed by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste in July of last year.