Resolution not guaranteed by Tánaiste’s move

THE precedent for Tánaiste Mary Coughlan’s extraordinary intervention is a clear indication of the complexities in the electricians’ dispute.

It also fails to promise a successful conclusion.

Section 38.2 of the Industrial Relations Act allows a minister to suspend the ordinary dispute resolution mechanisms and order the Labour Court, the Labour Relations’ Commission or an independent team to investigate solutions.

It has been in place for almost two decades but only called upon twice.

In 1994 the Labour party minister Ruairí Quinn evoked the act to break the deadlock in the Team Aer Lingus dispute.

In that case he used the Labour Relations Commission, which could not find a solution and only reported back with possible alternatives.

Yesterday Mr Quinn said it was an extraordinary measure which he was glad the Tánaiste had used.

He said the electricians’ dispute was complex because of an absence of consensus among the employers and this measure may help find a way to progress.

A similar story took place in 1998 when the act was employed to defuse a protracted row at Dublin Airport, as Ryanair made an attempt to break union power.

Michael O’Leary took on the baggage handlers and the Government summoned an inquiry team of mediator Phil Flynn and Dan McAuley.

However, the inquiry met with stiff resistance from the airline and SIPTU.

Mr Flynn’s eventual report was presented to minister Mary Harney months later and was heavily critical of both sides in the dispute.