I WELCOME ADVANCEMENTS IN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING LEGISLATION

Posted by Alan Kelly on August 11, 2014 at 03:54 PM

I am delighted that Minister Ged Nash is working to have legislation on collective bargaining rights enacted by the end of this year. The Bill is currently being drafted with the expectation that the new legislation will be in place by the end of 2014. Once agreed, the legislation will proceed through the Oireachtas during the autumn.

This legislation will significantly strengthen the rights of workers in companies that refuse to engage in collective bargaining while also giving, for the first time, statutory protection to guard against the victimisation of workers in such companies. For employees, it will significantly enhance their ability to negotiate their working conditions. For employers, it will provide certainty in managing their workplaces in the years ahead.

The introduction of new collective bargaining legislation will fulfil an important commitment under the Programme for Government. Taken together with other important reforms such as the reintroduction of a Joint Labour Committee system; the proposals to re-establish a constitutionally robust Registered Employment Agreements regime; the establishment of the Low Pay Commission, and the initiative to modernise the workplace relations mechanisms in Ireland this demonstrates a commitment by the Labour Party to fairness at work and a progressive employment agenda. 

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