The Government has instigated “anti-worker measure after anti-worker measure”, the Dáil has heard.
People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy was tabling a bill promoting the recognition of trade unions.
The Trade Union Recognition Bill would ensure that, where at least 20% of employees in a workplace or category are members of a union, they could apply to the Labour Court to compel their employer to negotiate.
This would allow workers to improve conditions, health and pay, Deputy Murphy said.
Ireland has immense wealth but “the highest rate of low-pay in the EU”, he said.
The deputy also claimed that unfair and “scandalous” practices are “absolutely rife”.
People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger added that firms that have “a conscious anti-union policy” now “proliferate” in Ireland.
This is very clear in the retail sector, despite it having once been a union stronghold, she added.
Minister of State for Small Business and Retail Alan Dillon said the Government is opposing the bill “for several compelling reasons”, including that it might be found to be unconstitutional.
He said that Article 40 of the Constitution provides for the establishment of trade unions, and the Supreme Court has ruled that no employer can be compelled to recognise a union.
Mr Dillon said workers’ rights have been improved by recent legislation, adding that the “Government will continue to protect the measures which have been put in place to protect collective bargaining”.
The bill was tabled by People Before Profit-Solidarity using Private Members’ Time for the Independent and Parties technical group. It has its second stage debate today.
Independent TD Brian Stanley dismissed Government reassurances as “hollow words” and urged that the bill be enacted into law.
He warned that unionised and non-unionised workers are being played off against each other.
“It’s time to close the loop-hole in Irish law,” he said, and “to catch up with our EU neighbours”.
