Hannigan wants Labour Court intervention at Kells CU
Meath East Labour TD Dominic Hannigan wants the Labour Court to intervene in the dispute between the workers and management at Kells Credit Union.
Speaking in advance of the strike action which is due to take place this Thursday and Friday Hannigan said: “I am disappointed that the Labour Relations Commission and Labour Court recommendations issued last May have not been accepted by the management of Kells Credit Union. This has led to the escalation of the industrial action which means a two day picket is taking place this week.”
“This strike is going to have a disproportionate effect on the people of Kells, particularly the elderly, as they will not be able to lodge their pensions in their credit union accounts tomorrow and Friday. This is because the workers feel they have no choice but to continue their industrial action”, continued Hannigan.
“I am calling on the Labour Court to intervene in this dispute so that it does not escalate any further. I understand that if the Labour Court intervenes that the pickets will be lifted and the important work that the Credit Union does in the community will resume. I know that both sides want a resolution to this dispute and the Labour Court offers a place where management, workers and union can sit down and discuss their problems and reach an agreed resolution”, said Hannigan.
“At the centre of this dispute is the issue of collective bargaining. Ireland has a very strong trade union tradition and yet we do not recognise collective bargaining in our legislation. This Government is committed to introducing legislation for collective bargaining during its lifetime. I will continue to raise this Programme for Government commitment with the Minister for Enterprise and the Taoiseach so that workers, like the workers in Kells Credit Union, do not have to go on strike to be heard,” concluded Hannigan.