Ireland
Background information on industrial relations in Ireland
- 19 Dec 2007
Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — IrelandThis study examines the impact of the working time directive for the road transport sector (2002/15/ec) in Ireland, and the implications for industrial relations and collective bargaining as of February 2007. The directive on road transport was only transposed in Ireland on January 2, 2006. Given that a significant proportion of long-distance truck and bus drivers in Ireland work more than 48 hours per week, the directive will likely have important repercussions. However, given the recent transposition, it will be some time yet before the full implications are known.
- 10 Dec 2007
Ireland: Agreement for foreign-based pilots at Aer Lingus settles disputeIn October 2007, the Labour Relations Commission brokered a deal between the former state-owned airline, Aer Lingus, and its pilots, which establishes the terms and conditions of the company’s new base in Belfast in Northern Ireland. The agreement includes a general commitment by the company that the terms and conditions of Dublin pilots will not be affected by the opening of further Aer Lingus bases abroad.
- 10 Dec 2007
Ireland: Trade union sets out key targets for national talksThe recent national conference of Ireland’s largest trade union, the Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU), made it clear that employment rights for temporary agency workers will be a key demand in national negotiations in early 2008. Other items raised at the meeting included the right to representation and the pensions issue. At the same time, the SIPTU leadership remains positive in relation to the principle of social partnership.
- 14 Nov 2007
Industrial relations in the postal sector — IrelandThis study examines industrial relations in the Irish postal sector as of January 2007.
- 29 Oct 2007
Ireland: Coca-Cola to move production to non-unionised plantIn August, Coca-Cola Ireland announced its intention to close one of its unionised manufacturing plants in September 2008. The plant to be closed is located in Drogheda, County Louth, and will result in the loss of 256 jobs. This leaves one of the remaining Coca-Cola plants in Ireland which is non-unionised as the main producer of concentrate for the popular international beverage.
- 29 Oct 2007
Ireland: Companies continue to move away from defined benefit pension schemesA new report has confirmed the continuing decline in the number of defined benefit (DB) pension schemes, and the resulting increase in defined contribution (DC) plans. Some 39% of companies which provide DB schemes have closed these plans to new members. Meanwhile, the number of companies offering only DC schemes has tripled from 8% to 24%. Hybrid pension plans, combining features of both kinds of scheme, may offer a useful compromise.
- 29 Oct 2007
Ireland: Pay agreement at airline subject to company’s non-unionised statusA new four-year agreement at the low-cost carrier Ryanair is set to ‘significantly improve’ terms and conditions of employment for its Dublin-based pilots. Over the past few years, pilots were denied any improvements by the airline, due to the fact that an unspecified number of them sought to pursue claims through trade union representation. However, the deal may be regarded as meeting the loose description of a ‘bargaining unit’ referred to in the Supreme Court judgement earlier this year.
- 29 Oct 2007
Ireland: Unionised multinationals reject unions in new plantsA new study of multinational companies operating in Ireland points to ‘a growing trend of union avoidance among unionised companies, where it appears they are establishing new sites on a non-union basis’. The survey underlines an increased struggle within the trade union movement to establish a presence in inward investing companies in more recent years.
- 22 Oct 2007
Ireland: Good pay but poor working conditions among prison officersA survey of prison officers’ experiences of working in the Irish Prison Service reveals a grim picture in relation to working conditions. More than 80% of respondents are unhappy with their physical safety, while 85% express dissatisfaction with training and development. Some 87% of those surveyed reported that morale in the workplace had suffered as a result of poor working conditions, despite prison officers’ relatively high pay rates compared with other public servants.
- 01 Oct 2007
Ireland: Labour Court rules that relocation of state agency workers must be voluntaryIn August 2007, the Labour Court issued a recommendation regarding the planned relocation of employees of the state training and employment agency, FÁS. The proposed move is part of the government’s controversial programme to decentralise several government departments and state-run agencies. The court ruled that the requirement that FÁS staff who accepted a job promotion must move location was ‘incompatible with any reasonable notion of voluntarism’.
- 01 Oct 2007
Ireland: Union resists proposed two-tier pay system for airline pilotsThe former state airline, Aer Lingus, and the trade union representing the airline’s pilots are attempting to resolve a dispute over the right of the union to negotiate terms and conditions on their behalf. The dispute followed an announcement by the company that it intends to recruit pilots at a soon-to-be established base in Belfast. The trade union fears that a ‘two tier’ system will emerge between Aer Lingus pilots based in the Republic and those in Northern Ireland.
- 01 Oct 2007
Representativeness of the social partners: Agricultural sector – IrelandThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the agriculture sector in Ireland. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as their role in collective bargaining.
- 17 Sep 2007
Ireland: Performance-related pay deal for bank employeesManagement and worker representatives at ACC Bank have concluded a new deal on performance-related pay covering 700 employees. This group includes both non-union members and unionised staff who have traditionally been opposed to performance-related payment systems. The new system sets out a number of terms for existing and new employees at the bank and will be fully operational as of 1 January 2008.
- 17 Sep 2007
Ireland: Eircom agrees to pay rise under partnership agreement in wake of disputeIn a dispute that required the intervention of the Labour Relations Commission, the Republic of Ireland’s dominant fixed-line operator, Eircom, has agreed to meet the terms of the national pay deal under the social partnership agreement, ‘Towards 2016’. Moreover, management and the trade unions have expressed their commitment to developing solutions that address the impact of the company’s change programme.
- 20 Aug 2007
Ireland: Prime minister outlines priorities at ICTU conferenceIn a recent speech at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ biennial conference, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern outlined the main issues facing the social partners, in advance of a fresh round of national talks towards the end of 2007. The prime minister reassured the trade unions that the government is committed to the social partnership approach in dealing with the impending challenges to maintain the competitiveness of the Irish economy.
- 13 Aug 2007
Ireland: Union secures above-norm pay deal at TescoThe global supermarket giant Tesco has concluded a significant collective pay agreement with the Mandate trade union. The agreement, which is outside the terms of Ireland’s national social partnership agreement, provides for an overall pay increase of 12% over 24 months. It also encompasses non-pay elements, including new work patterns and pension arrangements. Some 10,000 workers are set to be covered by the Tesco-Mandate agreement.
- 13 Aug 2007
Ireland: Pension dispute at state broadcasting company influenced by bank dealTrade unions at the country’s state broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann, are seeking a re-hearing of their case for a new defined benefit pension scheme. The appeal follows a recent recommendation with respect to one of Ireland’s largest banks, Allied Irish Banks, which backed an attractive new ‘hybrid’ pension plan.
- 06 Aug 2007
Ireland: Agreement reached on employee share plan in state gas companyIn June 2007, management and trade union negotiators at Ireland’s state-owned gas company, Bord Gáis Éireann, agreed on a proposal for a 3.27% employee shareholding. However, crucial details of the employee share ownership plan remain to be finalised, such as ensuring a liquid market for the shares. Talks on these aspects and other issues are expected to take place in the coming months, with a final document likely to emerge during the autumn.
- 06 Aug 2007
Ireland: New standards proposed for independent mediators and arbitratorsIn June 2007, a new set of standards was proposed for private consultants operating as independent mediators and arbitrators. The proposed standards aim to enhance the credibility of this growing group of consultants, as an alternative to Ireland’s state-run industrial relations service. Among the recommendations are to ensure that no conflict of interest arises.
- 23 Jul 2007
Ireland: Business leaders warn of future productivity problemsHuman resource managers heard two major business figures express concerns that Ireland may face a challenge in boosting its productivity and in adapting to necessary changes, at a conference for managers involved in employee and labour relations held in May 2007.
- 23 Jul 2007
Ireland: Trade unions launch new membership recruitment driveFive major trade unions are preparing to fund a new ‘outreach’ union recruitment drive being launched by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), in an effort to stem the decline in trade union density, particularly in the private sector. The service will comprise information and advisory support and will target key groups, including migrant workers, through a variety of media.
- 23 Jul 2007
Ireland: Report warns that public service unions must curb pay expectationsThe findings of a consultants’ report on what is known as ‘parallel’ benchmarking – a pay system that covers local authority and health service craftworkers and general operatives – suggests that public sector trade unions may need to lower their pay expectations. This comes in advance of a major public service pay benchmarking exercise due later this year, which will cover around 250,000 public servants.
- 16 Jul 2007
Ireland: Labour Relations Commission reports fewer strikes but more disputesIn its 2006 annual report, the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) highlights the paradox of Ireland having its lowest ever level of industrial action on record, while at the same time the Commission’s caseload continues to rise and its services are being ‘stretched’. LRC’s chief executive warned that Ireland stands at a critical juncture in the social partnership process.
- 16 Jul 2007
Ireland: Union confederation calls for more protection for collective bargainingThe Irish Congress of Trade Unions is seeking the introduction of measures to protect and promote collective bargaining arrangements. These measures include a formal statutory definition of collective bargaining, due to the fact that Ireland does not currently have national legislation in place requiring employers to recognise trade unions or to participate in collective bargaining.
- 16 Jul 2007
Ireland: New pay deal secured for retail chemist’s employeesIn a recent pay deal with the Mandate trade union, the UK chemist chain Boots has agreed to wage increases worth between 8% and 11% over 17 months for 1,700 staff. The pay deal has been agreed on in return for cost offsetting measures, including a reduction of the salary-to-sales ratio, an extension of the probationary period for new recruits, and changes to the company’s sick pay policy.
- 02 Jul 2007
Ireland: Nurses secure reduced working hours but no pay riseA 14-week dispute by nurses over pay and working hours was resolved in May 2007, after the management of the Health Service Executive and trade unions agreed to a compromise put forward by the social partners’ dispute resolution organisation, the National Implementation Body (NIB). The trade unions representing nurses have been successful in reducing weekly working time but pay will remain unchanged.
- 02 Jul 2007
Ireland: Proposed new pension scheme at major bank welcomedIn a significant development in the area of pensions, the chair of an independent tribunal has proposed that one of Ireland’s largest banks, Allied Irish Banks, should introduce a new ‘hybrid’ pension scheme for staff. The scheme would guarantee a minimum pension for the bank’s staff once they retire. The recommendation has been eagerly awaited in the industrial relations sphere, although it appears to have taken stock market analysts by surprise.
- 26 Jun 2007
Ireland: New health forum to tackle critical industrial relations issuesThe government established a new, high-level health forum in March 2007. The forum aims to help resolve a series of major industrial relations disputes, which are blocking the reform of Ireland’s ostensibly ailing public healthcare system. The Irish Prime Minister expressed his support for the initiative. The forum brings together a diverse range of healthcare workers.
- 26 Jun 2007
Ireland: Trade union president hits out against erosion in employment standardsIn a major policy speech at the end of March 2007, the general president of Ireland’s largest trade union has warned of ‘consequences for those who drive a tyrannical agenda in the workplace’, but has promised to ‘cultivate a more positive strategy towards employers who recognise unions and are prepared to maintain reasonable standards of employment’. He emphasised that the unions had always tried to deal with the denial of union representation and collective bargaining diplomatically through social partnership.
- 18 Jun 2007
Ireland: Shop steward favourite for top job in new merged unionThe beginning of May 2007 marked the establishment of a new trade union, following the merger of Amicus and the Transport and General Workers Union. Much still needs to be decided in the coming months with regard to this merger, including the question of who will lead it. A chief shop steward at Waterford Crystal has emerged as a possible ‘leader-in-waiting’ for the newly-established union.
- 13 Jun 2007
Industrial relations developments 2006 — IrelandThis annual review, compiled in December 2006, looks at industrial relations developments in Ireland during the course of 2006.
- 28 May 2007
Ireland: Unions oppose government plan to transfer electrical transmission assetsA government plan to transfer the transmission assets of the state-owned Electricity Supply Board (ESB) to another state-owned company has met with strong resistance from the trade unions. The plan has been proposed by the government in a bid to boost competition in the electricity sector.
- 18 May 2007
Gender and career development — IrelandThis questionnaire examines the topic of gender and career development in Ireland as of October 2006.
- 18 May 2007
Representativeness of the social partners: Telecommunications sector - IrelandThis sectoral study examines the representativeness of the main industrial relations actors in the telecommunications sector in Ireland as of May 2006.
- 07 May 2007
Ireland: Pension dispute at multinational manufacturing companyIn March 2007, a dispute broke out at Liebherr Container Cranes, one of Ireland’s oldest multinational manufacturing plants, over the management’s decision to implement changes to the traditional pension scheme. The workers’ protest took the form of a ban on overtime work from 13 March onwards, as well as two one-day strikes in March, with the prospect of further industrial action ahead.
- 10 Apr 2007
Ireland: Major disputes in healthcare sectorIn the context of the forthcoming general election, the Irish government is facing a number of major problems in the healthcare sector, which are also a test of the social partnership system and the current national agreement ‘Towards 2016’. In light of the general elections in May or June this year, the government seeks to establish a special high-level forum to settle the disputes with the organisations representing consultants and nurses in the sector.
- 02 Apr 2007
Ireland: Supreme Court ruling will affect ‘right to bargain’ lawA recent judgement by the Supreme Court concerned a case between the independent airline, Ryanair, the Labour Court and the Irish Municipal Public and Civil Trade Union. The ruling is likely to have major implications for the ability of trade unions to process claims on behalf of members in non-union companies under the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act, 2001 and the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004.
- 19 Feb 2007
Ireland: Government announces another increase in national minimum wageIn December 2006, the Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen, announced that he had accepted a Labour Court recommendation to increase the national minimum wage in Ireland to €8.65 from 1 July 2007.
- 19 Feb 2007
Ireland: Employees awarded compensation for victimisation on grounds of union membershipThe first major group claim of victimisation due to trade union membership, taken under the 2004 Industrial Relations Act, has resulted in a total award of up to €120,000 for 24 claimants, who were former employees of the company Green Isle Foods.
- 12 Feb 2007
Ireland: Bank’s ongoing pension dispute has serious repercussionsA major dispute over a new pension scheme at the Bank of Ireland has raised serious issues for the recently negotiated national agreement, Towards 2016, as well as highlighting the role of the Labour Court, Ireland’s main dispute resolution body.
- 09 Jan 2007
Ireland: Labour Court to rule in bank dispute over pensionsThe current impasse concerning the pensions dispute between Bank of Ireland and the Irish Bank Officials Association represents an important challenge for the Labour Court. In particular, the court has been faced with the task of finding a creative way to deal with this difficult dispute and hence to rescue a key element of the new ‘Towards 2016’ social partnership agreement.