SIPTU members employed in Decotek Automotive in Collinstown, County Westmeath, have secured a Labour Court recommendation that the company should engage with them as a collective, through their Union, for negotiations concerning their pay and terms of employment.
SIPTU Organiser, Richie Elliot, said: “Collective bargaining is fundamental to ensuring fair and just employment practices. By recognising SIPTU and engaging in meaningful discussions with its members, Decotek Automotive can demonstrate its commitment to a harmonious workplace. Every worker deserves to be treated with respect at work.
“This was the argument we presented to the Labour Court and our members are very pleased that it has agreed with us on this issue. The Labour Court also dismissed attempts by the company to claim that the establishment of a Staff Association for its employees was comparable to their right to be represented by an independent union of their choice.
“It was further confirmed that the employer had drawn up the rules for its proposed Staff Association and intended to oversee its elections. It is not a body independent of the company or capable of adequately representing staff interests. The Labour Court recommended that the company should engage with its employees who are SIPTU members through their union when dealing with employment-related matters affecting them.”
He added: “Staff in the company have a number of outstanding issues relating to the removal of premium rates of pay and changes in workplace practices without agreement, which they wish to address with management through their union. It has been reported to us that these issues have been exacerbated by a lack of engagement with staff regarding their concerns. That is why the workers decided to join SIPTU and the case for union recognition was taken to the Labour Court.
“We are calling on Decotek Automotive to respect the State’s industrial relations mechanisms and engage with its employees’ union. This would create a relationship between management and staff at the company that would be beneficial to both.”