LloydsPharmacy dispute and workers’ rights
Senator Gavan sought support for a motion on the LloydsPharmacy dispute and then raised further workers’ rights concerns in the hotel sector, mentioning a forthcoming SIPTU meeting. The Cathaoirleach ruled that the Order of Business could not be formally amended, but the concerns remained on the record.
I will begin by asking that we take No. 11 of the non-Government motions on today's Order Paper without debate. It is a very simple motion on the issue to which I referred yesterday, namely, the ongoing dispute at LloydsPharmacy. It calls on LloydsPharmacy to respect the Labour Court recommendation. It would send a very strong signal if all of us could unite on that topic today.
I wish to raise another issue relating to workers' rights.
Comment on this
I have no problem with the Senator raising the matter but the rules restrict me from allowing him to formally amend the Order of Business to deal with that matter today. The Senator must give four days' notice. He can raise the issue but it is not appropriate to formally move the amendment. My hands are tied.
Comment on this
If the Cathaoirleach's hands are tied, I fully respect that. I thank him for the advice.
I want to raise another issue relating to workers' rights in the hotel sector. It is an issue that interests all of us because a number of us stay in hotels. Many Senators pay an awful lot of money to do so. There are major problems in the sector. I will be away next week at the Council of Europe so I want to highlight now that I will have representatives of those working in the sector and their union, SIPTU, coming in to tell us about what is happening in the hotel sector at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, 3 July, in the AV room. They will talk about rates of pay, the prevalence of zero-hour and low-hour contracts, issues regarding health and safety, reduced VAT rates and the industrial relations climate. Unfortunately, the Irish Hotels Federation has given a clear instruction to all hotel members not to deal with unions. That is absolutely unacceptable. I know the Leader will agree with me in that respect. It is particularly unacceptable when our Government is giving a massive subsidy to these hotels. We can debate the merits of the subsidy but surely we can all agree on the fact that if hotels are getting it, the very least we should expect them to do is to talk to their workers and their representatives.
There are major issues involved. I am aware of a man who has been working in a major hotel in Kerry for 30 years and who is still on €10 an hour. The same man was terrified that his car might be seen outside the SIPTU office in Kerry. These are the conditions of fear, loathing and poor pay that are prevalent in the hotel sector. I urge all Members who are available on the Tuesday after next to come along and hear directly from the workers involved. I am also calling for a debate on this issue.