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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Trade union protection at Cork Street site

Summary

Deputy Boyd Barrett raised the sacking of a shop steward on a Cork Street housing site and called for stronger protections for trade unionists. The Minister said he could not comment on the specific case without details but agreed unions play a vital role and should be protected.

There has been a lot of talk from this Government about rewarding workers and providing them with a better deal after all they did for us during Covid. There are many complexities to that and we expect announcements and so on. One issue the Government could resolve is to give workers the right to be trade unionists and represent other workers in their jobs without suffering victimisation. In that regard, I raise the case of a shop steward working on a site on Cork Street where public housing is being built and on which the contractor is Sisk. He was sacked five days ago simply because he raised issues about overtime being docked from workers on spurious grounds. On his arrival at work the next day, he was told there was no work for him, even though the site is in full swing. This is a public site on which public housing is being built, where a shop steward for the Independent Workers Union was sacked. I ask that Minister look into this case and, more generally, does something to protect trade unionists and shop stewards who are simply acting on behalf of workers.

Comment on this

It is difficult to comment on a specific case. If the Deputy sends me the details, I will look into it. I agree with the general point about supporting the role of and acknowledging the need for and benefit of trade unions in our country. The strength of our country is that we have a partnership approach in which trade unions have a critical role to play. When the rights of people are infringed, as in the example provided, we need mechanisms to protect them. Trade unions have a valuable and important role. I do not disagree with the Deputy's general argument but I cannot comment on the specifics of the case.

Comment on this

I will send the Minister the details.

Comment on this