Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 May 1994

Vol. 442 No. 9

Adjournment Debate. - Clondalkin (Dublin) Plant Dispute.

Mr. Rabbitte

I thank the Chair for allowing me raise an important and urgent matter in my constituency. It concerns an industrial dispute at Clondalkin involving one of the leading engineering companies, Airmotive Ireland Ltd. which overhauls and maintains aircraft. It employs over 600 people. At present 60 workers remain suspended and there is a risk that the issue will deteriorate into a major dispute. Such a dispute in this competitive industry could have disastrous consequences.

Rival companies that previously serviced military aircraft are competing for civilian business. There is urgent need to involve the industrial relations agencies and, if necessary, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, to secure the earliest possible settlement. Whatever the merits of the origins of the dispute, the unions have indicated their availability for discussions at the Labour Relations Commission. I understand that the LRC indicated its availability to initiate such discussions yesterday, Tuesday, but that the company responded it was too early and proposed Thursday instead. I would be very concerned about any delay in agreeing to get talks underway. I sincerely hope that both parties will proceed with the meeting tomorrow under the aegis of the Labour Relations Commission and, without prejudice, agreed to restore normality.

Not surprisingly, the unions are seeking the reinstatement of the suspended workers. I understand the company is claiming it is not yet in a position to present a comprehensive set of proposals to the unions. Notwithstanding that, I would strongly urge the company to reinstate the suspended workers to allow normal negotiations to take place. This plant is too important for either side to put unnecessary obstacles in the way of a settlement of the immediate dispute. Unless an immediate resolution is found this already difficult dispute could become more intractable.

Workers are afraid there is a hidden agenda to provoke a dispute which would inevitably result in redundancies while management is afraid that if valuable orders are not filled to meet deadlines essential business will be lost. Unless both parties commence normal negotiations without delay the appalling prospects of job losses may become inevitable. This subsidiary of Aer Lingus is a very prestigious company in its sector, with an experienced and highly skilled workforce.

Since the weekend I have been approached by many of the workers and the wives of suspended workers explaining the difficulties this dispute has caused for them. This is a very stressful and worrying time for them. This very prestigious plant provides major employment in the area. I call on the Minister to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that staff at the Labour Relations Commission are made available to mediate a settlement this week before irreparable damage is done.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

In the absence of the Minister for Enterprise and Employment who is unable to be present I am pleased to respond to this matter.

Airmotive Ireland Limited, a subsidiary of Aer Lingus, employs more than 600 workers in the overhaul of jet engines at its plant in Rathcoole, County Dublin. The dispute at this company arose from the suspension of 69 workers last week after they refused to make themselves available for overtime. Workers at the plant had been involved in unofficial work to rule and ban on overtime for over four weeks in protest at the dismissal of a worker for refusing to go on a training course.

On Thursday last, 12 May, management issued protective notice to all employees following the suspension of 15 workers who refused to make themselves available for overtime. On Friday last, a further 54 workers were suspended. The company defended its decision to issue protective notice on the grounds that it could not service its customers' engines without staff being available to work reasonable overtime as provided for in the company-union agreement. According to management, staff unavailability for overtime working would result in a direct loss of engine overhaul business.

The unions contend that the company's actions are unreasonable and complain that the workers are being asked to work overtime on top of 13 hour shifts. In a letter to the unions on Friday management stated that it would be undertaking a comprehensive review of operations at the plant, including difficulties in the operation of the current agreement between the company and the unions, the impact of current operations on competitiveness and the effect of the 13 hour shifts. At a meeting on Sunday, 15 May, the unions agreed to resume normal overtime working following the intervention of the Labour Relations Commission, which I understand is in the process of arranging a conciliation conference for the earliest practical date.

As stated previously in the House, industrial disputes can best be resolved when the parties follow proper procedures with a view to reaching negotiated settlements. The State provides machinery in the form of the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court to assist parties where there are difficulties in arriving at negotiated settlements. The services of both the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court are designed to ensure that parties have impartial, expert and independent assistance to reach settlements and avoid industrial action.

As a conciliation conference is imminent in this case I would urge both parties to adopt a positive approach to these negotiations with a view to settling the dispute. However, responsibility for resolving the dispute rests ultimately with management and the unions. It is imperative in their own interests that they resolve the dispute as soon as possible with or without third party assistance. In view of the fact that further negotiations are due to take place under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission it would not be helpful to make any further comment at this stage.