Dublin dustmen’s dispute
Mitchell pressed the Minister to intervene in the unofficial work-to-rule. Fitzgerald said the parties were best placed to settle it and noted that workers had rejected the Corporation’s proposals; the exchanges ended without agreement on the Minister’s role.
asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement on the efforts being made by him to settle the Dublin dustmen's dispute.
Comment on this
The settlement of this unofficial dispute is a matter for the parties directly concerned. I understand that, arising from discussions between the parties, proposals for settlement were recently put forward by the Dublin Corporation. However, these proposals were rejected on 14th instant by the workers concerned. I understand that the trade unions and the corporation are at present considering the position.
Comment on this
What part has the Minister played in trying to bring about a resolution of the dispute?
Comment on this
The Deputy must be aware or should be aware that this is an unofficial work-to-rule and not a strike. A number of settlement efforts have taken place. As late as yesterday a decision was taken when the proposals put forward by the corporation and the trade union concerned were rejected by 236 votes to 189. Both the corporation and the trade union are at present considering the situation and, surely in an unofficial work-to-rule situation, the Deputy must agree that this is the way to leave it to see if the parties directly concerned can reach a settlement.
Comment on this
Is the Minister making the case that the Minister or the Department of Labour have no role in bringing about a resolution of industrial disputes whether it is a work-to-rule or a strike? Is the Minister saying he has no intention of trying to bring about a resolution of the disputes which are causing great inconvenience to the public?
Comment on this
The point I am making is that an unofficial work-to-rule of that nature is probably best handled by the parties concerned and that the Deputy is being irresponsible in making some of the statements he has made.
Comment on this
Will the Minister accept that he made precisely the same statement in relation to another unofficial dispute, namely, the Ferenka dispute and that at the eleventh hour he appointed a conciliation officer and it was too late.
