Collective Issues

Statutory Consultation

State Boards The Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Act 1977 provided for the appointment of worker directors on the boards of certain semi-state bodies. An amending Act in 1988, provided for participation below board level in semi-state companies and equivalent organisations.… Read the rest

Sectoral Regulation

Labour Court Examination. Where the Labour Court is satisfied that a trade union or organisation of employees, which is substantially representative of workers or employers of a type or group, or in a particular economic sector, that union or body may request the Labour Court to examine the remuneration (including sick pay, pension and financial matters), terms and conditions of employment of that type or group.… Read the rest

Registered Agreements

REAs Registered Employment Agreements apply automatically to all the relevant group or type of employees in the sector, job type and grade to which they apply. The terms of a registered employment agreements in relation to pay and conditions of employment are incorporated in employees’ contracts, of employees to whom it is subject.… Read the rest

Joint Labour Committees

Background Prior to independence, the Trade Board legislation provided for the establishment of trade boards, which set mandatory terms of employment in certain sectors. The sectors concerned were generally those without unionisation in which relatively low pay levels prevailed.… Read the rest

EU Multinationals

Multinational Groups Consultation The Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act 1996 is designed to ensure that employees of businesses which have a significant presence in more than one EU state are informed about the decisions affecting the overall business, which may be relevant to their local branch or entity.… Read the rest

Compulsory Bargaining

Collective Bargaining There is a procedure under the Industrial Relations Act by which employers may be bound by terms and conditions recommended by the Labour Court, following investigation of a trade dispute. In employments where collective bargain does not take place, and the existing dispute procedures have not functioned, the court may investigate a trade dispute with a view to recommending action which should be taken, having regard to the circumstances.… Read the rest

Collective Redundancies

Collective Redundancies Definition I The law on collective redundancies is set out in the Protection of Employment Act 1977 as amended and the Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Act 2007. Special procedures and provisions apply to collective redundancies. … Read the rest

Collective Agreements

Overview Collective agreements may be negotiated between employers and employees or between groups of employers and employees. They may be negotiated either directly, or more commonly through their representatives, such as unions. They are common in many sectors of industry.… Read the rest

50+ Firm Consultation

EU Background The obligations on employers, to share information and consult with employees derive largely from European Union Law. The EU rules fit better in EU states which provide for the mandatory recognition of trade unions.… Read the rest